Facts about Mahakaleshwara Temple, Ujjain

By Neha Choubey

| Updated: Wednesday, February 1, 2023, 11:25 [IST]

To the east of the Shipra, a tributary of the Chambal river is the Malwa plateau on which sits the sacred city, Ujjain. Ujjain is a well-known religious place in the state of Madhya Pradesh. One of the major divine cities of India, Ujjain is also the second largest city of Madhya Pradesh. The city of Ujjain, which is teeming with devotees throughout the year, is especially famous worldwide for the centuries-old Mahakaleshwar Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. One of the seven sacred Hindu cities, Ujjain is named after the Sanskrit word Jai, which means victory. Ujjain, which was the capital of the Aryan Avanti kingdom in the 6th and 4th centuries BEC, was ruled by Ashoka, the last ruler of the Mauryan Empire, in the 2nd century BEC.

Facts about Mahakaleshwara Temple, Ujjain

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The world-famous Mahakaleshwar temple is the pride of Ujjain. The Mahakaleshwar Temple, the abode of Lord Shiva, is located near the Scindia Palace. One of the most sacred and famous temples of Madhya Pradesh, India, there was an attempt to destroy this temple in 1235, but it was restored.

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Kaal means time. The name is associated with Shiva in his destructive aspect as Mahakala and extended to his consort, the goddess Kali or Mahakali. The Lingam at Mahakaleshwara temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of India, is believed to have power emanating from the swayambhu (power) of the lingam (self-born). Apart from this, according to the Avanti Khanda of Skandha Purana, many temples of Goddess Shakti and her various forms were also present here.

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A great religious center, Ujjain is at par with Banaras, Gaya, and Kanchi, where Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Jainism, and Buddhism as well as offshoots of the Tantrics, the Siddha and Nath sects, flourished. According to the same tantric traditions, only Mahakaleshwar has this unique feature that the idol of Mahakal found here is south facing.

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In the sanctum sanctorum of the Mahakal temple, the statue of Shiva's Omkareshwar form is seated, with the statue of Nandi in the south. The idol of Nagchandreshwar is located on the third floor, which can be seen only on the occasion of Nag Panchami. Apart from this, images of Ganesha, Parvati, and Kartikeya have also been installed inside the temple. On the day of Mahashivaratri, a huge fair is organized near the temple, and worship takes place throughout the night.

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Keeping in view the fame of Mahakaleshwar Temple, the heritage culture of Ujjain, and the convenience of the pilgrims gathered here, the construction work of the Mahakal Corridor in Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar Temple is in progress, the first phase of which has been completed. The Mahakal Corridor starts from the grand 26 feet of Nandi Gate, after which the path begins.

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The Mahakal Path has 108 pillars that depict the Ananda Tandava dance form of Lord Shiva. Many sculptures illustrating the stories of Shiva can be seen on the way inside the gate. Stories related to all the prominent personalities associated with Lord Shiva, whose discussion is found in the Shiva Purana, are engraved on the walls of the path. It includes the story of Shiva Sati and King Daksha, as well as the tale of the marriage of Shiva to Parvati and the birth of Lord Ganesha can also be seen.

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However, Ujjain is not only known for the Mahakaleshwara temple; it also has many other tourist attractions such as Bada Ganesh Ji, Shree Harsidhimata Shaktipeethe Temple, and ghats. Besides, Ujjain is a major agricultural and textile trade center. Cotton ginning and milling, oilseed milling, and hand weaving. And the manufacture of metalware, tiles, hosiery, confectionery, strawboard, and batteries are important industrial activity. Ujjain, which holds high religious value among pilgrims, also hosts the famous Kumbh Mela every 12 years.