Mahakaelshwar Temple of Ujjain

Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlingam the shiva temple is one of the important and most famous temples dedicated to the lord shiva. This is also one among the twelve sacred abodes of Shiva lingams known as Jyotirlingams. Temple is located in Ujjain near the Rudra Sagar lake, in Madhya Pradesh. It is believed that this lingam is deriving power from within itself against all other shiva lingams which use Mantra shakti for this power, hence it is also known as ‘Swayambhu’.

The speciality of this Lingam out of other twelve Jyotirlingam is that it is placed facing south in the direction of Nandi (vehicle of lord shiva), while Parvati in the north, Lord Ganesh in west and Karttikeya in the east of the sanctum sanctorum.

On the day of nag Panchami, the idol of lord Nagchandreshwar is opened for darshan. The temple is of in total five-level, and one of these levels is underground. The whole temple is surrounded by long walls. Out of the boundary of walls, there is a lake. Sikhar or zenith is adorned by fine sculptures. A unique thing which is performed here is that the holy offerings of Prasadam can be re-offered to lord Shiva, unlike all other temples or shrines.

Mahakala temple Ujjain

On the day of Mahashivratri, a huge fair is held near the temple where thousands of worshippers come to worship the Lord Shiva whole night.

The temple in the year 1234-1235 AD, was destroyed by the king Iltutmish(who had completed building the Qutub Minar) during his attack on this complex. The present structure was built by the Shrimant Raanojiraao Shinde Maharaj Scindia In 1736.

The temple is located in the heart of Ujjain, which is surrounded by railway and bus stand from just two kilometres. Auto rickshaws or manual rickshaw is always available there to take you to the jyotirlingam of Mahakaleshwar.