Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva It is located in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India. The temple is situated besides the Rudra Sagar lake. The Mahakaleshwar temple complex was destroyed by Sultan Shas-ud-din Iltutmish during his raid of Ujjain in 1234-1235. The present structure was built by Peshwa Baji Rao and Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj in 1736 AD. Further developments and management was done by Shreenath Mahadji Shinde Maharaj (Mahadji The Great) also known as Madhavrao Shinde the First (1730–12 February 1794) and Srimant Maharani Bayzabai Raje Shinde (1827–1863).
In the regime of Maharaja Shrimant Jayaajirao Saheb Shinde Alijah Bahadur until 1886, major programs of the then Gwalior Riyasat used to be held at this mandir. After Independence the Dev Sthan Trust was replaced by the municipal corporation of Ujjain. Nowadays it is under the collectorate.The idol is a Dakshinamurti, which means that it faces the south. This unique feature is found only in the mahakaleshwar temple. The idols of Ganesh, Kartikeya, Parvati are installed in the western, eastern and northern corners of the temple. The temple has 5 levels of which one is located underground. The temple is situated in a massive courtyard, surrounded by high walls and a lake. It is believed that the prasada offered in this temple can be re-offered, a belief that is not found in any of the other jyotirlinga temples.
Mahakaleshwar Bhasma Aarti
One should not miss the Bhasma aarti which starts at 4 am every day.In the regime of Maharaja Shrimant Jayaajirao Saheb Shinde Alijah Bahadur until 1886, major programs of the then Gwalior Riyasat used to be held at this mandir. After Independence the Dev Sthan Trust was replaced by the municipal corporation of Ujjain. Nowadays it is under the collectorate.The idol is a Dakshinamurti, which means that it faces the south. This unique feature is found only in the mahakaleshwar temple. The idols of Ganesh, Kartikeya, Parvati are installed in the western, eastern and northern corners of the temple. The temple has 5 levels of which one is located underground. The temple is situated in a massive courtyard, surrounded by high walls and a lake. It is believed that the prasada offered in this temple can be re-offered, a belief that is not found in any of the other jyotirlinga temples.
Mahakaleshwar Bhasma Aarti
One needs to register for the same. Registration is compulsory since there are limited entries per day. Earlier the registration process was at the temple premises. Now for the comfort of people visiting from distant locations, it has been offered online.
One has to obtain advance pass by giving ID proof.
Budget Hotels to Premium hotels are available within the city and people here are very peaceful & friendly.
If you want to have quick darshan, you can take special darshan route.
MATMARTI (morning 4 am): Chaitra to Ashwin: Before sunrise, Kartik to Falgun: Before sunrise
MORNING POOJA: Chaitra to Ashwin: 7:00-7:30 AM, Kartik to Falgun: 7:30-8:00 AM
MID-DAY POOJA: Chaitra to Ashwin: 10:00-10:30 AM, Kartik to Falgun: 10:30-11:00 AM
EVENING POOJA: Chaitra to Ashwin: 5:00-5:30 PM, Kartik to Falgun: 5:30-6:00 PM
AARTI SHREE MAHAKAL: Chaitra to Ashwin: 7:00-7:30 PM, Kartik to Falgun: 7:30-8:00 PM
CLOSING TIME: Chaitra to Ashwin: 11 PM, Kartik to Falgun: 11 PMThe Puja-archana, abhisheka, arati and other rituals are regularly performed all year round in Mahakaleshwar temple.
Nitya Yatra:
A Yatra to be conducted is narrated in the Avanti Khanda of the Skanda Purana. In this Yatra, after taking a bath in the holy river Kshipra, the Yatri respectively visits Nagachandreshvara, Kotesvara, Mahakaleshvara, goddess Avanatika, goddess Harasiddhi and Agatsyesvara for darsana.
Sawari:
On every Monday of the Shravan month, upto the Amavasya in the dark fortnight of the Bhadrapada and also from the bright fortnight of the Kartika to the dark fortnight of the Magasirha, the procession of the lord Mahakal passes through the streets of Ujjain. The last Sawari in bhadrapada is celebrated with great pomp and show and draws attendance of lakhs of people. The procession of Mahakal on Vijayadasami festival visiting the celebrations at Dashahara Maidan is also very attractive.
Harihara Milana:
On Baikuntha Chaturdasi, Lord Mahakal visits the mandir in a procession to meet lord Dwarkadhisa (hari) during midnight. Later on, in a similar procession on that very night, Dwarkadhisa visits Mahakal temple. The festival is the symbol of one-ness between the two great gods.
Ujjain
On the banks of river Kshipra, the city of Ujjain exists in Madhya Pradesh. It is also known as Indrapuri Amaravati, and Avantika. Because of the number of golden towers of several temples, this town is also known as “Swarna Sringa.”
One of the seven cities of deliverance or salvation, Avantika Nagar has 7 Sagar Teerthas, 28 teerthas, 84 SiddhaLingas, 25-30 SivaLingas, Ashtabhairav, Ekadasa Rudrasthana, temples for hundreds of deities, Jalakund and monuments are there.
sthala purANa of Ujjain Mahakaleshwar jyotirling
Once there lived a Brahman who had four sons, who were all devotees of Siva. The wicked demon king Dushan came to Avantika after attaining a boon from Lord Branhma and started torturing the erudite Brahmanas of Avantika. But the Brahmanas who were very engrossed in their worship of Shiva did not even flinch.
The demon king sent all four of his henchmen with the orders that they have to ensure that no Vedic Dharmanushtan activities are to take place. The harassed people came running to the Brahmans seeking help. The Brahmanas assured the people and pacified them. They immediately started praying to Lord Shiva. Meanwhile, just as the Demon king tried to attack the Brahmanas, the earth would split open near the Parthiv Murty with a loud noise and huge crater would form there. In this manner, Siva assumed the colossal form of Mahakal and appeared. He ordered the wicked Demon from going anywhere near the Brahmanas. But the wicked Demon king did not pay heed. As a result, Siva burnt him to ashes with just one grunt. Seeing Lord Siva in this Avatar, Brahma, Vishnu and Indra and other Devas came down and prayed to the Lord and pleased Him.
The grandeur of Mahakaleswar is indescribable. Chandrasena, the king of Ujjain was not only a scholar, but also a staunch devotee of Lord Siva. Once his friend Maheswari’s follower Manibahdra gave him a beautiful gemstone called Sundara Chintamani. It shone so bright and beautiful when Chandrasen wore it on his neck, that he looked even more glorious than the celestial gods. It would make even them feel jealous. Once, some kings went and asked Chandrasen to part with the jewel and Chandrasen promptly refused to do so. This angered the kings, who in turn attacked Chandrasena’s kingdom. When Chandrasena realized that he was surrounded by the enemy he sought the help of Mahakal. Bhagawan Shiva was pleased with his prayers and showed him a solution for his problem. Just then, by chance, a Brahman woman wandered near Mahakal, carrying her child with her, and suddenly became a widow. An illiterate boy once saw the king performing Puja in the stone and installed it in his empty house. He imagined it to be an incarnation of Shiva and started worshipping it. The boy became so engrossed in prayer and chanting, that he even forgot all about food. When his mother went to call him, any number of calls had no affect on him. He was silently praying. Angered by this, the mother who was still bound by worldly love, threw away the SivaLinga. She destroyed all the thing of worship. The boy was very sad at what his mother had done. He started to pray to Shiva with his entire concentration. Siva was not long in coming to the rescue of his devotee. This stone SivaLinga which was brought by the son of a cowherd soon became adorned with gemstones and turned into a JyotirLinga. After singing in praise of Lord Siva, when the boy returned to his house, he was amazed to find a beautiful palatial home instead. Thus, with the Grace and Blessings of Lord Siva, the boy became rich and led a very happy life. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling Temple, Ujjain
In the mean time, the enemy kings who attached ceased Chandrasena’s empire, began to fight among themselves. They began to say king Chandrasena is a Siva devotee and ujjain itself is the city of Mahakal. It is therefore, impossible to anyone to win it. They then decided to extend a hand of friendship to king Chandrasena and together they all worshipped Mahakal.
At that time, the Vanara King Hanuman appeared there. He told the kings that only Siva could grant salvation to mankind and nobody else. Siva can be pleased with worship done even without chanting any mantras. The example of the son of cowherd is for us. Then Hanuman looked at Chandrasena with eyes filled with affection and benevolence and disappeared.
Historic glory of Ujjain
The Adyapeetha i.e., is the foundation of Sanskrit learning, ethics, knowledge or science and art had their initiation at this place. It is indeed the Triveni Sangam or learning of the three great things. The greatness of Ujjain city was enhanced by the Maurya kings as well as other dynasties. The great emperor Vikramaditya who began new era by starting a new way of counting the years, made Ujjain his capital.
It is here that Raja Bhartrihari wrote his great epics (love stories) Virat Katha, neeti Sataka, the love story of Pradyot Princess Vasavadatta and Udayan. The beauty of this city found a pride of place in the descriptions of a great many poets and writers who song its praise. At the auspicious time at dawn, the women of this town sprinkled vermillion water in their courtyards and decorated them with Rangoli designs.
In the Mahakal Shiv temple located in Ujjain on the banks of River Kshipra, at 4 AM puja is performed. After Abhishek, Chitabhasm (Ash of cemetery) is applied all over Mahakal.
According to classics, Chitabhasm (human ash) is considered as unholy and inauspicious. If any one even touches it by mistake, one is required to bathe in order to be purified. But this very ash becomes holy, by merely touching the body of Mahakal, because Siva is Nishkam or lust-less. He is not touched by material desires. That is why Shiva is Mangalmay or auspicious.
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling Mandir, Ujjain
The greatness of Shiva is described in this Sloka, thus:
“shmashAneshhvAkrIDA smarahara pishAchAH sahacharaaH
chitAbhasmAlepaH sragapi nR^ikaroTI parikaraH |
amaN^galyaM shIlaM tava bhavatu nAmaivamakhilaM
tathApi smartR^INAM varada paramaM maN^galamasi || ”.
Thus Shiva is auspicious and beautiful. Avanti Nagar is Shiva’s favorite town. Those who visit the Mahakal temple and take a darshan, will never be touched by sorrows even in their dreams. Those who pray for whatever they desire to the Mahakal JyotirLinga would be granted all his/her wishes. They would attain salvation.
MORNING POOJA: Chaitra to Ashwin: 7:00-7:30 AM, Kartik to Falgun: 7:30-8:00 AM
MID-DAY POOJA: Chaitra to Ashwin: 10:00-10:30 AM, Kartik to Falgun: 10:30-11:00 AM
EVENING POOJA: Chaitra to Ashwin: 5:00-5:30 PM, Kartik to Falgun: 5:30-6:00 PM
AARTI SHREE MAHAKAL: Chaitra to Ashwin: 7:00-7:30 PM, Kartik to Falgun: 7:30-8:00 PM
CLOSING TIME: Chaitra to Ashwin: 11 PM, Kartik to Falgun: 11 PMThe Puja-archana, abhisheka, arati and other rituals are regularly performed all year round in Mahakaleshwar temple.
Nitya Yatra:
A Yatra to be conducted is narrated in the Avanti Khanda of the Skanda Purana. In this Yatra, after taking a bath in the holy river Kshipra, the Yatri respectively visits Nagachandreshvara, Kotesvara, Mahakaleshvara, goddess Avanatika, goddess Harasiddhi and Agatsyesvara for darsana.
Sawari:
On every Monday of the Shravan month, upto the Amavasya in the dark fortnight of the Bhadrapada and also from the bright fortnight of the Kartika to the dark fortnight of the Magasirha, the procession of the lord Mahakal passes through the streets of Ujjain. The last Sawari in bhadrapada is celebrated with great pomp and show and draws attendance of lakhs of people. The procession of Mahakal on Vijayadasami festival visiting the celebrations at Dashahara Maidan is also very attractive.
Harihara Milana:
On Baikuntha Chaturdasi, Lord Mahakal visits the mandir in a procession to meet lord Dwarkadhisa (hari) during midnight. Later on, in a similar procession on that very night, Dwarkadhisa visits Mahakal temple. The festival is the symbol of one-ness between the two great gods.
Ujjain
On the banks of river Kshipra, the city of Ujjain exists in Madhya Pradesh. It is also known as Indrapuri Amaravati, and Avantika. Because of the number of golden towers of several temples, this town is also known as “Swarna Sringa.”
One of the seven cities of deliverance or salvation, Avantika Nagar has 7 Sagar Teerthas, 28 teerthas, 84 SiddhaLingas, 25-30 SivaLingas, Ashtabhairav, Ekadasa Rudrasthana, temples for hundreds of deities, Jalakund and monuments are there.
sthala purANa of Ujjain Mahakaleshwar jyotirling
Once there lived a Brahman who had four sons, who were all devotees of Siva. The wicked demon king Dushan came to Avantika after attaining a boon from Lord Branhma and started torturing the erudite Brahmanas of Avantika. But the Brahmanas who were very engrossed in their worship of Shiva did not even flinch.
The demon king sent all four of his henchmen with the orders that they have to ensure that no Vedic Dharmanushtan activities are to take place. The harassed people came running to the Brahmans seeking help. The Brahmanas assured the people and pacified them. They immediately started praying to Lord Shiva. Meanwhile, just as the Demon king tried to attack the Brahmanas, the earth would split open near the Parthiv Murty with a loud noise and huge crater would form there. In this manner, Siva assumed the colossal form of Mahakal and appeared. He ordered the wicked Demon from going anywhere near the Brahmanas. But the wicked Demon king did not pay heed. As a result, Siva burnt him to ashes with just one grunt. Seeing Lord Siva in this Avatar, Brahma, Vishnu and Indra and other Devas came down and prayed to the Lord and pleased Him.
The grandeur of Mahakaleswar is indescribable. Chandrasena, the king of Ujjain was not only a scholar, but also a staunch devotee of Lord Siva. Once his friend Maheswari’s follower Manibahdra gave him a beautiful gemstone called Sundara Chintamani. It shone so bright and beautiful when Chandrasen wore it on his neck, that he looked even more glorious than the celestial gods. It would make even them feel jealous. Once, some kings went and asked Chandrasen to part with the jewel and Chandrasen promptly refused to do so. This angered the kings, who in turn attacked Chandrasena’s kingdom. When Chandrasena realized that he was surrounded by the enemy he sought the help of Mahakal. Bhagawan Shiva was pleased with his prayers and showed him a solution for his problem. Just then, by chance, a Brahman woman wandered near Mahakal, carrying her child with her, and suddenly became a widow. An illiterate boy once saw the king performing Puja in the stone and installed it in his empty house. He imagined it to be an incarnation of Shiva and started worshipping it. The boy became so engrossed in prayer and chanting, that he even forgot all about food. When his mother went to call him, any number of calls had no affect on him. He was silently praying. Angered by this, the mother who was still bound by worldly love, threw away the SivaLinga. She destroyed all the thing of worship. The boy was very sad at what his mother had done. He started to pray to Shiva with his entire concentration. Siva was not long in coming to the rescue of his devotee. This stone SivaLinga which was brought by the son of a cowherd soon became adorned with gemstones and turned into a JyotirLinga. After singing in praise of Lord Siva, when the boy returned to his house, he was amazed to find a beautiful palatial home instead. Thus, with the Grace and Blessings of Lord Siva, the boy became rich and led a very happy life. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling Temple, Ujjain
In the mean time, the enemy kings who attached ceased Chandrasena’s empire, began to fight among themselves. They began to say king Chandrasena is a Siva devotee and ujjain itself is the city of Mahakal. It is therefore, impossible to anyone to win it. They then decided to extend a hand of friendship to king Chandrasena and together they all worshipped Mahakal.
At that time, the Vanara King Hanuman appeared there. He told the kings that only Siva could grant salvation to mankind and nobody else. Siva can be pleased with worship done even without chanting any mantras. The example of the son of cowherd is for us. Then Hanuman looked at Chandrasena with eyes filled with affection and benevolence and disappeared.
Historic glory of Ujjain
The Adyapeetha i.e., is the foundation of Sanskrit learning, ethics, knowledge or science and art had their initiation at this place. It is indeed the Triveni Sangam or learning of the three great things. The greatness of Ujjain city was enhanced by the Maurya kings as well as other dynasties. The great emperor Vikramaditya who began new era by starting a new way of counting the years, made Ujjain his capital.
It is here that Raja Bhartrihari wrote his great epics (love stories) Virat Katha, neeti Sataka, the love story of Pradyot Princess Vasavadatta and Udayan. The beauty of this city found a pride of place in the descriptions of a great many poets and writers who song its praise. At the auspicious time at dawn, the women of this town sprinkled vermillion water in their courtyards and decorated them with Rangoli designs.
In the Mahakal Shiv temple located in Ujjain on the banks of River Kshipra, at 4 AM puja is performed. After Abhishek, Chitabhasm (Ash of cemetery) is applied all over Mahakal.
According to classics, Chitabhasm (human ash) is considered as unholy and inauspicious. If any one even touches it by mistake, one is required to bathe in order to be purified. But this very ash becomes holy, by merely touching the body of Mahakal, because Siva is Nishkam or lust-less. He is not touched by material desires. That is why Shiva is Mangalmay or auspicious.
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling Mandir, Ujjain
The greatness of Shiva is described in this Sloka, thus:
“shmashAneshhvAkrIDA smarahara pishAchAH sahacharaaH
chitAbhasmAlepaH sragapi nR^ikaroTI parikaraH |
amaN^galyaM shIlaM tava bhavatu nAmaivamakhilaM
tathApi smartR^INAM varada paramaM maN^galamasi || ”.
Thus Shiva is auspicious and beautiful. Avanti Nagar is Shiva’s favorite town. Those who visit the Mahakal temple and take a darshan, will never be touched by sorrows even in their dreams. Those who pray for whatever they desire to the Mahakal JyotirLinga would be granted all his/her wishes. They would attain salvation.
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