History, Importance, Timings, Festivals, Architecture, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India
Mahakaleshwar, one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temple and one of the most revered temple of Lord Shiva in India, is located in ancient city Ujjain, one of the Saptpuri situated on bank of river Shipra. This is the only Jyotirlinga temple which faces south thus known as Dakshinamukhi and tantric tradition found only in Mahakaleshwar among the 12 Jyotirlingas. So Mahakaleshwar temple is one of the top Tantra temple of world. Kaal means time or death thus Mahakal laterally mean that Lord of dear and time. Lord Shiva in form of Mahakal – self manifested Shivlinga is the main deity of Ujjain since thousands of years. Since ancient time Ujjain and especially Mahakaleshwar temple is major pilgrimage destination in Hinduism.
There is interesting legend behind the Jyotirlinga temples, as per the Shiva Purana, once Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu had the tussle over their supremacy. To prove the supremacy, both Lord approaches Lord Shiva, then Lord Shiva takes the form of endless column of light and asked both Lord to find the roots. But Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma were not able to find the roots of columns. So, Jyotirlinga are the shrines of Lord Shiva where he appeared in the form of a fiery column of light.
The present majestic temple with five level structure built in Bhumija, Chalukya and Maratha styles of achitecture and spread across spacious courtyard was constructed in 18th century near Rudra Sagar lake. Out of five storeyed, one is underground where Swavambhu Shivlinga of Mahakaleshwar is placed in south direction, on second floor idol of Omkareshwar and on third floor idol of Nagachandresvara is installed. The Nagachandresvara lingam is open for devotees only on the occasion of Naga Panchami. The idols of Lord Ganesh, Goddess Parvati and Lord Karttikeya are installed in the west, north, and east of the sanctum sanctorum respectively and idol of Nandi in south.
Within the temple campus one big Kunda- water tank popular as Koti Tirtha is built in sarvatobhadra style which is believed to be highly sacred. Conventional eulogies in praise of Lord Shiva are exhibited all around the walls. The images of Sri Rama and goddess Avantika are worshipped in a cell in the northern side of the veranda. Marble walkways was restored in the latter half of the 19th century by the Scindias.
There are several legend associated with Mahakaleshawar temple, few key tales mentioned here.
Once demon king Dushan got the boon from Lord Brahma and started harassing the people and devotee of Lord Shiva. He reached to Avantika and order Brahmana to stop Vedic rituals also started attacking on them. During this period here in Avantika, one Brahmana lived with his four son, they all are true devotee of Lord Shiva. Then harassed people reach to these Brahmana son and seeking for help. Whike Demon king tried to attack the Brahmanas, they continually worship lord shiva with true devotion and belief in lord Shiva. Then to protect Brahmana and people of Avantika Lord Siva took form of Mahakal and appeared. Lord had order demon to go away from Avantika but demon Dushan refuse. Thus Lord Shiva burnt him to ashes with just one grunt. While Lord asked for boon to Brahmana then they requested lord to stay here forever and protect them.
As per the other legend, King Chandrasena, pious devotee of Lord Shiva ruled over Ujjain region. One day, a Shrikhar, a farmer child heard the King chant the Lord's name while passing from palace. He had wish to worship lord Shiva with king but guards had not allowed him and send back in outside of city. Where acctidently he heard that the enemies of Ujjain, primarily King Ripudamana and King Singhaditya of the neighboring kingdoms decided to attack on Ujjain. Hearing this, Shrikhar started to worship lord Shiva and also priest named Vridhi and his son has started offering Lord Shiva once they got the news. The enemies Kings had attacked with the help of demon Dushan who was blessed with boon from Lord Brahma. They looted the city and attacked all the devotees of Lord Shiva. Then Lord Shiva appeared in form of Mahakala and killed the enemies of King Chandrasena along with demon Dushan. While Lord Shiva asked for boon, his devotees Shrikhar and Vridhi, requested lord Shiva to stay here in Kingdom forever and protect all devotees. From that day on, Lord Shiva resided in Ujjain in his Shivlinga that was made from power of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Lord Shiva blessed his devotees and declared that people who worshipped here would be free from the fear of death and diseases.
Even after thousands of year and in current modern time ancient Vedic rituals are followed in temple by devotees and saints in honour of Lord Shiva. The key ritual, attraction and main feature of Mahakaleshwar temple is Bhasm Aarti. This aarti ceremony starts before sunrise at 4 am early in the morning awaken the Lord Shiva. Sacred ash which is specially brought from the Ghats everyday and is applied to the Shivlinga. As per the Shiva Puran, Bhashm is the summery of whole physical world, every physical item has to become Bhashm and Bhashm is adorned by Lord Shiva. Which means that everyone has to incorporate in Lord Shiva at one moment of time. There is an enthusiastic vibe in the air and the lit diyas make for a stunning sight which create super spiritual aura in surrounding environment.
Another interesting fact is from the ancient time no king can lived here for a single night and even today same is followed no king or senior personality of India can stay here as Mahakaal is the only king of this land.
When it comes to the history of theMahakaleshwar jyotirlinga, it is believed that there was a boy named Shrikar who saw Chandrasena, King of Ujjain, worshipping Lord Shiva all day. The boy saw his devotion and decided to worship for Lord Shiva. He took a stone and started worshipping it by considering it a linga. People thought that all this was like a game which the small boy was playing. As his devotion increased every day, Lord Shiva assumed Jyotirlinga form and resided in the Mahakal forest.
Best time to Visit Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, Ujjain, Madhra Pradesh, India
You can visit Mahakaleshwar Temple throughout the year especially Mahashivratri and Sravan month is the best time to visit and become part of the celebrations. During this time, devotees from all over the world flocked here. So, February, March and August months are the best months to visit the Mahakaleshwar temple. On the day of Maha Shivaratri, a huge fair is held near the temple, and prayers goes on throughout the night.
How to reach Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India
As Ujjain is one of holiest site of India, district head quarter and major city of Madhya Pradesh, it is very well connect to all the major cities of India via Road, Rail and Air network. Mahakaleshwar temple is in center of Ujjain you can easily reach via cab, auto from any corner of cities.From Ujjain, the Nearest Airport Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport Indore at just 53 km from where you can catch regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Jaipur, Hyderabad and Bhopal. Ujjain has it major railway station on the Western Railway zone from where you can find trains to all major cities of India. Also Ujjain is well connected via state highway and national highway to all cities of India. You can get regular government and private bus services from Indore, Bhopal, Ratlam, Gwalior, Mandu, Dhar, Kota and Omkareshwar etc. to reach Ujjain. Ujjain is situated 53 km from Indore, 191 km from Bhopal, 135 km from Omkareshwar, 390 km from Ahmedabad, 102 km from Ratlam, 340 km from Vadodara, 195 km from Dahod, 465 km from Gwalior, 560 km from Khajuraho, 260 km from Kota, 332 km from Udaipur, 350 km from Nathdwara, 267 km from Chittorgarh.
