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The Mahakaleshwar Temple is situated on the shores of the Kshipra River in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, within the beautiful Mahakal forest. In Central India, this Jyotirlinga in Madhya Pradesh is a major pilgrimage place.
There are several tales surrounding the creation of this Jyotirlinga. According to the Puranas, King Chandrasena of Ujjain’s devotion to Lord Shiva attracted a five-year-old boy called Shrikar. Shrikar took a stone and began worshipping Shiva.
Many people tried in various ways to convince him, but his enthusiasm intensified. Lord Shiva, moved by his devotion, assumed the form of a Jyotirlinga and established himself in the Mahakal forest. Hindus revere the Mahakaleshwar Temple for another reason.
| Weather | 23° C |
| Label : | Must See |
| Topics such as | Temple |
Timetable: From Chaitra to Ashwin:
| Morning Pooja | 7:00 AM – 7:30 AM |
| Mid-day Pooja | 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM |
| Evening Pooja | 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM |
| Aarti Shri Mahakal | 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM |
| Closing time | 11:00 PM |
From the month Kartik to Falgun:
| Morning Pooja | 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM |
| Mid-day Pooja | 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM |
| Evening Pooja | 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM |
| Timing of Aarti Shri Mahakal | 7:30 PM – 8:00 PM |
| Closing time | 11:00 PM |
| Bhasma Aarti | 4:00 AM |
| Time needed: | 4-5 hours |
| Entry Fee | No entry fee |
| VIP Darshan | INR 250 |
Facilities: Wheelchair Accessible, Lockers for Mobile Phones and Valuables
Dress Code: There is no dress code for routine darshan
Jalaabhishek – Men: Dhoti and Shawl (available outside the temple or for hire at the temple)
Women: Saree
Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain Overview
The Mahakaleshwar Temple is one of India’s 12 Jyotirlingas and is located in the medieval city of Ujjain in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The Mahakal lingam at this Shiva temple is claimed to be Swayambhu (self-manifest), drawing Shakti (strength) currents from within itself. Mahakaleshwar is also one among India’s 18 Maha Shakti Peethas.
Another element that makes Mahakaleshwar one of the most renowned Jyotirlingas in India is that the Mahakaleshwar idol, unlike all other Jyotirlingas, is Dakshina Mukhi and faces south. The Mahakaleshwar Temple’s Bhasma-Aarti is regarded a Hindu pilgrimage and is immensely popular among devotees.
The Mahakaleshwar Temple structure is a wide courtyard with sculptural finery and elegance influenced by Maratha, Bhumija, and Chalukya structural architectural traditions, complete with stunning Mahakaleshwar lingam statues. It also features Omkaresvara and Nagachandresvara inscriptions, as well as figures of Ganesha, Kartikeya, and Parvati. During the Maha Shivaratri celebration, the temple, which spans 5 stories, draws a massive number of devotees.
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Bhasma Aarti at Mahakaleshwar Temple
The daily Bhasm Aarti performed at the Mahakaleshwar Temple is a major attraction. Every day, before dawn, the Aarti begins. The statue of Lord Shiva is worshipped with sacred ash collected from the ghats during this religious ceremony, and the ash is then placed to the lingam before the holy prayers are performed. The temple at Mahakaleshwar is the only Jyotirlinga temple where this Aarti is done, which adds to the thrill and delight of witnessing this Aarti.
Tickets for this Aarti are available online, and you must apply one day in advance. Applications are only accepted until 12:30 PM, after which the list is announced at 7:00 PM.
Celebrations
All rites, including Puja-Archana and Abhishekaarati, are done on a year-round basis in the temple. The following are the major festivals observed here:
- Nitya Yatra: In this rite, the Yatri bathes in the holy Sipra before visiting Nagachandresvara, Kotesvara, Mahakalesvara, goddess Avantika, goddess Harasiddhi, and Agastyesvara for Darshana.
- Sawari (Procession): Every Monday for a specified period of time, Lord Shiva walks through the busy streets of Ujjain on his sacred march. The final Sawari, which occurs during the dark fortnight of Bhadrapada, attracts the attention of millions of people and is celebrated with tremendous pomp and display. During the Vijayadashami celebration, the procession is equally lively and appealing.
Temple Architecture
The Mahakaleshwar temple is a stunning and creative fusion of Maratha, Bhumija, and Chalukya architectural traditions. The temple has five floors in all, one of which is subsurface, and is located beside a lake in a vast courtyard encircled by massive walls. The gigantic Mahakaleshwar idol is located at lower ground level (Garbhagriha) and is a Dakshina-murti, meaning that it faces south.
Omkaresvara and Nagachandresvara lingams are situated in the temple’s center and highest sections, respectively. The idol of Nagachandresvara is exclusively available for public viewing at the festival of Nag Panchami. A big Kunda, called as Koti Tirtha, can also be found in the complex and is thought to have medicinal properties.
A vast veranda to the east of this Kunda serves as the entry to the walkway leading to the Garbhagrha, where small-sized statues of Ganesha, Kartikeya, and Parvati may also be found. The esoteric silver plate covering the roof of the Garbhagriha adds to the shrine’s majesty. Classical eulogies to Lord Shiva are displayed all over the walls. The pictures of Sri Rama and the Hindu goddess Avantika are honored in a cell on the veranda’s northern side.
The Mahakaleshwar Legend
“Mahakaleshwar” refers to the Hindu god Shiva. Shiva is one of the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara. He is also known as Maheshwara. The Mahakal; Lord Shiva is worshipped in the Mahakaleshwar temple, which is also known as the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga; one of the 12 temples where the tale of Shiva appearing as an endless column of light to test Brahma and Vishnu is observed.
The Mahakaleshwar Temple mythology is based on multiple theories and beliefs; these are some of the well-known versions.
When Sati went into the flames to protest her father, Daksha’s, objection to her marriage with Shiva, the latter became enraged and performed the Tandav or Dance of Death. He was then known as the Mahakal or the one who was ahead of and mightier than time itself.
According to another mythology, when the demon Dushan preyed on four Shaiva bhakts, Shiva burst into fury and tore the world in half. Even then, he materialized as Mahakaleshwar.
What You Should Know
It is advised that you stay at the temple or a nearby hotel in order to observe the captivating Bhasm-Aarti.
If you want to participate in the Bhasm-Aarti rite, bring your picture ID with you. PAN cards will not be accepted.
How to Reach
The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is located in Ujjain and is easily accessible by plane, bus, and train.
Using Flight
Travelers may fly to Indore’s Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport in three and a half hours. It is the nearest airport to Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga since the temple is just approximately 51 kilometers away and can be reached by bus. Other nearby airports are Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Jaipur, and Udaipur; however, these flights are somewhat longer, with Udaipur being the longest at 16 and odd hours.
By Bus
The Jyotirlinga is well-connected by road to cities such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, and Bhopal. It is also the quickest method to get to Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga. From Omkareshwar, visitors may also take a 4-hour bus trip.
By Train
Ujjain Junction, Pingleshwar, Vikram Nagar, and Chintaman are the nearest railway stations to the temple. Trains run from Omkareshwar to Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga. The train ride from Omkareshwar to the temple will take around 3 hours.
By Taxi/Car
Only from Omkareshwar are taxis/car taxis and self-drive options viable. It’s around 3.5 to 4.5 hours away.
“Naa aadi hai, Naa aant hai, Shiv He Anant Hai”
Har Har Mahadev
Mahakaleshwar – Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh Registration online – Click Here
Other 12 Jyotirlinga’s Name & Location are:
- Somnath – Gir Somnath In Gujarat
- Nageshwar – Daarukavanam In Gujarat
- Bhimashankar – Pune In Maharashtra
- Trimbakeshwar – Nashik In Maharashtra
- Grishneshwar – Aurangabad In Maharashtra
- Vaidyanath – Deoghar In Jharkhand
- Omkareshwar – Khandwa In Madhya Pradesh
- Kashi Vishwanath – Varanasi In Uttar Pradesh
- Kedarnath – Kedarnath In Uttarakhand
- Rameshwaram – Rameswaram Island In Tamil Nadu
- Mallikarjuna – Srisailam In Andhra Pradesh
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Nearby Places
Harsiddhi Temple is a Hindu temple.
Overview of the Harsiddhi Temple in Ujjain
Between the idols of Mahasaraswati and Mahalaxmi, the Harsiddhi Temple displays an Annapurna deity painted in dark crimson.
This temple was nearly irreparable until the Marathas chose to reconcile it. This is why the temple has a Maratha flavor to it.
Ghat Ram Mandir
Overview of Ram Mandir Ghat in Ujjain
Ram Mandir Ghat is extremely sacred to Hindus since it is one of the four venues where the Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years.
It is regarded as one of the earliest bathing Ghats associated with the Kumbh festivities. During the big Kumbh festival, millions of people go to this location because it is believed that a bath here may wash away all your sins. The sunset from the Ram Mandir Ghat is one of the most beautiful sights you’ll ever see.
Overview of the Kumbh Mela at Ujjain
The Kumbh Mela is one of the world’s most remarkable people gatherings. The fair, which is held in India, celebrates the historical Samudra Manthan event from Hindu mythology. The fair is held just once every twelve years for twelve days, representing the twelve years of the Hindu gods in the human realm.
The settings for this massive carnival include the banks of the Ganga at Haridwar, the Godavari at Nashik, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati at Allahabad, and the Kshipra at Ujjain.
Every three years, the Kumbh is hosted in one of four cities: Haridwar, Allahabad, Nasik, and Ujjain. In 2016, the most recent Kumbh Mela was held at Ujjain. In 2028, the next Kumbh Mela will be performed at Ujjain.
Overview of Jantar Mantar in Ujjain
The architectural masterpiece Jantar Mantar (also known as the Vedh Shala Observatory) was built in the 17th century and is the oldest of the five observatories (Jaipur, Delhi, Ujjain, Mathura, and Varanasi).
In 1719, Maharaja Jai Singh began building to aid Hindu academics and astrologers in their study and studies. Jantar Mantar, a result of much hard effort, not only served as an astronomical research station in the past, but it also serves an astronomical and tourism purpose currently.
Visiting the site will teach you about how time, revolutions, and the positions of heavenly bodies were computed in the past. Everything you see is certain to make you reflect on the king’s brilliance. Furthermore, the location is a haven for stargazing.