Mahakaleshwar Temple

Sri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga

Sri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Madhya Pradesh

The 3rd Jyotirlinga is located in the ancient city of Ujjain in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The temple is situated on the side of the holy river Shipra.

The Mahakaleshwar Lingam is said to be the largest among all other 12 jyotirlingas.

The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga – a three storied structure. The lingam of Mahakaleshwar is worshipped on the first floor which is actually under the ground level. The Lingam of Omkareshwar is worshipped on the second level. On the third level, the Nagachandeshwara Linga is worshipped. The third level is open to the public only on Naga Panchami (August).

Introduction

Sree Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

The lingam at Mahakaleshwar is believed to be swayambhu (born of itself), deriving 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 Mahakaleshwar is known to be dakshinamurti, facing the South. This is a unique feature, upheld by tantric tradition to be found only in Mahakaleshwar. The idol of Omkareshwar Shiva is consecrated 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 sanctorum. To the south is the image of Nandi. The idol of Nagchandreshwar on the third storey is open for darshan only on the day of Nagpanchami. On the day of Mahashivaratri, a huge fair is held near the temple, and worship goes on through the night.

Temple Timings: 04.00 am – 11.00 pm

Bhashma Aarti Timings: 4 am – 6 am

Aarti Timings: 7.00-7.30 am & 5.00-5.30 pm

Shree Mahakal Aarti Timings: 7 am – 7.30 am

Some other Sevas and Poojas at Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple:

  1. Bhasm Aarti : This is a unique Aarti of Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple. The priest applies Bhasm (Vibhoti) to Shiva Linga every morning at 04.00 am only, pilgrims with VIP pass can enter the Sanctum or the Garbhagraha for this Bhasm Aarti. Females cannot witness Bhasma decoration during the Aarti.
  2. Maharudrabhishek : In the Maharudrabhishek, recitations of Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda and Atharva Veda is done in front of he deities of the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga.
  3. Laghurudrabhishek : To resolve issues related to health and wealth, this Lachurudrabhishek is done. This abhishek is also done to remove the harmful effects of planets in the horoscope.
  4. Mahamrityunjaya Jaap : Mahamritunjaya abhishek is to increase longevity and immortality of the person. This is also known as the Rudra Mantra and has miraculous effects in the lives of the people who perform it. It is believed that chanting this mantra helps relieve the individual from the cycle of death and rebirth. Hence, this mantra is also called Moksha Mantra.

Festivals Celebrated at Mahakaleshwar Temple :

  1. Kumbha Mela : The largest religious gathering on the planet is Kumbha Mela. This Kumbha Mela takes place once every 12 years in Ujjain, Allahabad, Haridwar and Nashik. This Kumbha Mela continues for about one and a half months and pilgrims and sages (sadhus) takes a ceremonial dip in the River Ksipra. Religious discourses like Ramlilas, Raslilas and the grand procession of sadhus are the main features of the Kumbha Mela.
  2. Kathik Mela : In Karthik month (November / December) of Hindu calendar, this Kathik Mela is celebrated here.
  3. Harihara Milana : This festival takes place on Vaikuntha Chaturdashi (November), which signifies the meeting of two Lords – Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva at midnight.
Maha Kumbha Mela

Some other temples around Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple :

  1. Harsiddhi Temple : This temple is just 400 mtr away from the Mahakeleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple. According to Hindu mythology, this is one of the Shakti Peethas. It is also believed that Sati’s elbow fell here when the Sudarshana Chakra cut her body, according to the Daksha Yagna episode of the Hindu Tradition.
  2. Ram Janardhan Mandir : This temple was constructed in 17th century by Raja Jai Singh. The specialities of Ram Janardhan Mandir include the 11th century sculpture of Govardhandhari Krishna and the 10th century sculpture of Vishnu as well as the 12th century idol of Trimurti.
  3. Kala Bhairava Temple : Beliefs says, King Bhadra constructed Kala Bhairava Temple over the ruins of an old demolished temple. This temple was of great significance during the Paramar period.
  4. Chintamani Ganapati Temple : The Goddess Riddhi and Siddhi are present on two side of Chintamani Lord Ganesh. Every Wednesday of Chaitra Month (March/April), devotees also offer special prayers to the God.

Significance of Mahakaleshwar Temple

The significance of the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is that the Lingam of Mahakaleshwar is Swayambhu in nature. Sri Mahakaleshwar is the Lord of Time and also famous as one who is capable of winning difficult situations. This is the only Lingam in the world which is facing south – the direction of death.

This Mahakaleshwar Temple is also one of the eighteen Maha Shakti Peethas – Shakti Peethas are the sites where body parts of Sati Devi fell after the Sudarshana Chakra, in the Daksha Yoga episode of Hindu mythology, cut her body. Devotees believe that the Upper Lip of the Sati Devi fell here and the Goddess is popular as Mahakali here.

History

The glory of Mahakaleshwar temple has been vividly described in various Purans. Starting with Kalidasa, many sanskrit poets have eulogised this temple in emotive terms. Ujjain used to be the central point for calculation of Indian time and Mahakala was considered as the distinctive presiding deity of Ujjain.The presiding deity of time, Shiva, in all his splendor, reigns eternal in Ujjain. The temple of Mahakaleshwar, its shikhara soaring into the skies, an imposing façade against the skyline, evokes primordial awe and reverence with its majesty.

Lord Brahma himself established the first temple on this site, as per the history of Mahakaleshwar. Coins recovered at Ujjain have the mark of Lord Shiva on them. According to several poetic texts of the Paramara period, invaders destroyed the temple. Later, the rulers of Malwa region, Udayaditya and Naravarrman, rebuilt Mahakaleshwar Temple.

Mahakaleshwar Temple

According to Sthalapuranam, an ancient scripture, King Chandrasena was a Shiva devotee. A young boy, Shrikhar, heard his prayers to the God and wanted to join him. However, people did not let him do this and sent him out of the city. Shrikhar heard the plans of rival kings Ripudhamana and Singhaditya to attack the city with the help of the demon king Dushan.

Asura Dushan – blessed of invisibility from Lord Brahma. So Shrikhar and a priest Vriddhi prayed to Lord Shiva for help. The animus arrived at Avantika (Ujjain) and started torturing the people. They banned all Vedic Dharmanushtan activities in the city Avantika. All the people started praying to Lord Shiva for help.

Devotees also believe that when Dushan started attacking Avantika, the ground split near the statue of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva came out of it as Mahakaal. Lord Shiva as Mahakaal burnt the demons with just one grunt. Adhering to the request of the people of Avantika, Lord Shiva then decided to stay there as the chief deity of city Avantika.

Related Tours