Mahakaleshwar Temple dedicated to lord Shiva is situated in the holy city of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlingas in India. This glorious temple is located on the banks of Rudra Sagar Lake.
According to puranas this temple was established by Prajapati Brahma himself. Many poets of Sanskrit, including Kalidasa, have sung the praises of this temple. The original temple was attacked during the Muslim invasions and it was reconstructed by the Scindias in the recent times. It is located at the south end of the city. The temple is located in a very much spacious courtyard surrounded by massive walls. There are more than 42 temples in Mahakal temple premises.
The curved grand structure is decorated with motifs on its all sides. The shikhara is adorned with sculptural finery. The carved motives and richly decorated roofs of the balconies display the Rajput style of architecture while screens and pavilions combined with marble colonnades signify the influence of Mughal style. The walls of the corridors are adorned with old statues and beautiful sculptures.
The temple has five levels one of which is underground. The holy temple has three Lingas. In the lowest part Mahakaleswara is enshrined. The lingam at the Mahakal is believed to be swayambhu - born of it, which derives the currents of power (Shakti) from within itself as against the other images and lingams which are ritually established and invested with mantra-Shakti. The idol of Lord Mahakaleshwar is said to be dakshinamurti which is facing the South. In the middle part Omkareshwar is engraved in the sanctum above the Mahakal shrine. The images of Ganesh, Parvati and Karttikeya are installed in the west, north and east of the sanctum. While to the south is the image of Nandi. At the top part Nagachadresvara Lingams are installed but Darshan of Nagachadresvara can only be done on Naga Panchami.
There are brass lamps which are lit up the way to the underground sanctum. It is believed that prasadam offered here to the deity can be re-offered unlike all other shrines.
One of the rituals performed here is the Bhasma aarti. Since ancient times this Bhasma used to be the burning hot ash from a funeral pyre and it is a mark of respect the Destroyer of the universe, Lord Shiva. However, now the aarti is now performed with bhasma made with cow dung. Mahakaleshwar is the only Jyotirlinga temple,where the Bhasma Aarti is performed. Amidst Vedic chants the Bhasma aarti is performed every morning from 4:00 am to 6:00 am to the Lord Mahakaleshwar. Pilgrims travel long distances to watch the Bhasm Aarti. At the time of Bhasma Aarti, women are not allowed to enter inside. Gents wearing silk dhotis are allowed inside the sanctum during the aarti.
Mahashivaratri Festival is celebrated with great devotion and religious fervour here. On Maha Shivaratri a huge fair takes place near the temple, and worship goes on throughout the night.
How to reach Ujjain
The nearest airport to Ujjain is Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore which is situated 55 km away. This connected to places like to places like Jaipur, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Bhopal and Chennai. Ujjain Junction Railway Station is well connected to all major railway stations in India. Ujjain is an important railway station in Western railway zone. Ujjain is well connected with the rest of the country by major road links like Agar Road, Indore Road, Dewas Road, Maksi Road and Badnagar Road. Regular state road transport public bus services as well as private buses ply between Ujjain and all the major cities within the state as well as neighbouring states.