Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Ujjain
The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Ujjain is a Hindu temple that is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in the city of Ujjain in India and is a popular place for tourists to visit. There are many interesting things to see and do while you are visiting the temple.
History of Ujjain
The history of Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Ujjain is a fascinating one. It is a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Several accounts exist of the Mahakaleshwar Temple, and they are all related to a single event.
Local legend tells us that King Chandrasena was an avid devotee of Lord Shiva. He ruled over the city of Ujjain. In fact, this was the era when astronomers and mathematicians made Ujjain their home. As a result, Ujjain was an important centre of learning for Hindu scriptures.
One day, a peasant boy named Shrikhar wanted to visit the Mahakaleshwar Temple. However, he was rejected by the guards. His parents had sent him to another city, near the river Kshipra. They prayed to Shiva for help.
Upon hearing this, Shrikhar decided to worship the Lord. When he arrived in the temple, he saw King Chandrasena worshipping Shiva.
According to legend, this happened at midnight. King Chandrasena was an ardent follower of the lord and he was also a pious devotee.
During the following years, several attacks were conducted against the Mahakaleshwar temple. Among these attacks were those carried out by Iltutmish, the third ruler of the Slave dynasty, in the early thirteenth century. Despite these attacks, the temple continued to stand as a revered place for Shiva.
In the nineteenth century, repairs were carried out on the temple by the Scindia family. During the reign of Jayajirao Shinde, major ceremonies were held in the Mahakaleshwar temple. After Indian independence in 1947, the collectorate office of Ujjain took over the responsibility of looking after the temple.
The present five-storeyed structure is built in the Maratha style. Among its main attractions is the Bhasma Aarti, a ritual that takes place every morning at 4 a.m. This is a very important ritual and it is believed that the worshipers are blessed with good fortune for the rest of their lives.
Another interesting feature of the Mahakaleshwar Temple is the shikhar, which is placed in the sky. It is a sacred monument, and worshipers are supposed to be free of diseases and death.
Architecture of the temple
One of the twelve jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is located in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the most popular Hindu pilgrimage sites.
The temple is renowned for its architecture, which has been influenced by Chalukya, Nagara and Rajput styles. It was rebuilt by Maratha General Ranoji Shinde in 1734 CE. In addition, the temple is considered a Maha Shakti Peeth.
The temple is located on the banks of the Rudra Sagar lake in Ujjain. Devotees believe that the shrine is the self-manifested Lingam of Lord Shiva. A huge lingam with a silver-plated roof adds to the grandeur of the shrine.
Another great feature of the shrine is its shikhara, which is visible from a long distance. Inside the temple are well decorated interiors that include images of all the twelve jyotirlingas. Also, a Sabha Mandap is present.
The temple has a spire that encircles the entire southern region of the city. The curved structure is embellished with motifs and old statues. There are enough rooms inside the temple for devotees to worship the deity.
Another important feature of the temple is its beautiful idol of the deity. The idol is very beautiful and is prayed by devotees from all over the country. During the Navaratri festival, people gather here in large numbers. Besides, the idol is also a source of inspiration for the local artists.
The temple also displays a classical eulogy in the adoration of the lord. Several tiny Shaivite temples are present on the southern side of the main shrine. They contain images of Apsaras, Kichakas and female dancers.
This temple is considered a blessing by the Lord Shiva devotees. Thousands of people visit the temple during the Navaratri festival. It is also one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peeths in India.
Shikara building material is used for the construction of the temple. It is strong enough to withstand the ravages of time. However, the interiors are not properly decorated with the Garbhagriha, which is required in a temple.
In the 19th century, the Scindia clan restored the temple. Today, the municipal corporation of Ujjain looks after the temple.
Lord Shiva’s manifestation as a jyotirlinga
The jyotirlingas of India are one of the most holy places in the country. These shrines are believed to be the divine abodes of the Hindu god Shiva. There are 12 jyotirlingas in India, each representing a different Shiva incarnation.
Each jyotirlinga has its own story. They are strategically located in different parts of the country. Some of the most popular jyotirlingas include Kedarnath jyotirlinga, Somnath jyotirlinga, and Mahakaleshwar jyotirlinga.
According to legend, Lord Shiva manifested as a jyotirlinga on the first day of the month of Aridra. He came to Ujjain to protect the city. After this, Lord Shiva stayed in Ujjain. At that time, Ujjain was ruled by King Chandrasen. During that time, Chandrasen was a dedicated devotee of lord Shiva.
Several ancient Indian texts mention the presence of jyotirlingas. In addition to Ujjain jyotirlinga, there are other jyotirlingas that are also considered to be the most sacred abodes of Shiva. Among these, the most prominent jyotirlingas are the ones in Kedarnath and Ujjain.
Kedarnath jyotirlinga is located in Uttarakhand. The other two jyotirlingas, the Somnath jyotirlinga and the Mahakaleshwar jyotirlinga, are located in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, respectively.
The Mahakaleshwar jyotirlinga temple is situated in the ancient city of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. It is surrounded by the Rudra Sagar lake. This temple houses the self-manifested Lingam of lord Shiva. Moreover, it is adorned with a silver roof plate. Throughout the temple, the shiv linga is always lighted.
Besides being the abode of lord Shiva, Ujjain jyotirlinga also possesses tantric traditions. Therefore, some people believe that he still resides in Ujjain.
As mentioned, pilgrims had to pass through a dangerous valley to reach the jyotirlinga. Moreover, the pilgrims had to pass through dense forests and snow capped mountains. However, despite the dangers, Lord Shiva provided his blessings to all of the devotees.
Hence, there is no doubt that the jyotirlingas represent the infinite nature of the lord Shiva. Therefore, visiting the jyotirlingas is a must for every traveler in India. Also, there are other jyotirlingas, such as the Bhimashankar jyotirlinga, which is found in Bhorgiri village near Pune.
Sundara Chintamani
The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, is one of the twelve most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva. It is located on the shore of the Rudra Sagar lake. This temple is famous for its tantrik practices. In addition, it is considered to be a self-manifest abode. There are three sections to this temple.
During the reign of Emperor Vikramaditya, Ujjain became his capital. His sister Sundara was a great devotee of the Mahakal temple. When the Gupta empire collapsed, the Maitrakas ruled the city. They were succeeded by the Chalukyas and Pusybhutis. During this time, a number of temples were built in Ujjain.
The Temple of the Mahakal is a Swayambhu temple, which means that the power of the lingam derives from within. The Mahakal temple is the centre of life in Ujjain. Here, the goddess Harsiddhi is located between images of the Goddess Mahalaxmi. Similarly, the temple of Lord Shankar and Mata Parvati is on the top of the peaks.
The temple is also famous for its Bhasma Aarti, which is a sacred ritual. During this ritual, the Shiva linga is anointed with holy ash and sacred chants are performed.
The Mahakal temple is a shrine that has been rebuilt several times after it was destroyed by Muslim invaders. A mosque was built in the vicinity of the site. As a result, Hindus hid the Jyotirlinga in a pool.
After the demise of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, a new temple was built. Later, in the 17th century, the Ujjain was handed over to the Scindias. These rulers worshipped the lingam in a new, larger temple.
The temple is a sacred place of pilgrimage and is visited by many people. Moreover, a large number of devotees visit the temple during the last Sawari during Bhadrapada, which is celebrated with great pomp.
In the 11th and 12th centuries, a grand temple was built in Ujjain. In the eighth decade of the eleventh century, a Ghazni commander attacked the temple. However, this period of attack was short-lived. Afterwards, the temple was rebuilt. During this time, wood carvings were done in the balconies.
FAQ on Mahakaleshwar Temple
What is the meaning of Mahakaleshwar?
Mahakaleshwar is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva and located in the city of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva, and is also one of the most famous shrines in India. The temple is regarded as one of the most sacred places for Hindus and is believed to be a powerful source of spiritual energy. It is believed that a devotee‘s wishes are granted here.
Which God is in Mahakaleshwar temple?
The presiding deity at the Mahakaleshwar temple is Shiva, one of the most important Hindu gods. He is known as Mahakaleshwar or the Great Lord of Time.
Who constructed Mahakaleshwar temple?
The Mahakaleshwar temple was constructed by the Parmara dynasty of Malwa in the 8th century CE.
What is the importance of Mahakaleshwar temple?
The Mahakaleshwar Temple is one of the most important Hindu temples in India and is a major pilgrimage site for devotees of Lord Shiva. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated in the ancient city of Ujjain in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The temple is known for its unique architecture and is believed to be over 1300 years old. The lingam at the temple is believed to be a Swayambhu lingam, which means it was not crafted by humans and is considered to be self–manifested. The temple is also known for its association with the legendary Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. It is believed that the Pandavas and Kauravas visited the temple during their exile. Devotees also believe that the temple has great spiritual powers that can help them overcome their difficulties and obtain blessings from Lord Shiva.
What is the mystery of Mahakaleshwar temple?
The mystery of the Mahakaleshwar temple lies in its unique architecture and the legend associated with it. According to legend, the temple was built in the 12th century by a king called Raja Udyadatt in dedication to Lord Shiva. The temple is said to have been built in a single night, and the walls of the temple are said to be made of black stone. The temple is believed to be one of the 12 Jyotirlingas (lingams of light) sacred to Lord Shiva, and is believed to be a powerful source of spiritual energy.
Who attacked Mahakaleshwar temple and how many times Mahakaleshwar temple was destroyed?
The Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain was destroyed and looted several times by various invaders. It was destroyed by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026 CE, by Sultan Iltutmish in 1235 CE, by Sultan Sikandar Lodi in 1500 CE, and by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1681 CE.
Why Mahakaleshwar temple is famous?
Mahakaleshwar Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, which are considered to be the most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva. It is believed that Lord Shiva manifested himself as a jyotirlinga in this temple, thus making it one of the most important centers of worship for devotees of Shiva. The temple is also famous for its unique architecture, with a huge temple complex and a large shikhara (spire) towering above it. The temple also has a large market surrounding it, making it a popular tourist destination.
How to reach Mahakaleshwar jyotirlinga?
The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is located in the ancient city of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, India. The nearest airports are in Indore and Bhopal. There are regular buses and trains from both these cities to Ujjain. You can also take a taxi from either of the airport to Ujjain. Once you reach Ujjain, you can take a rickshaw or local transportation to reach the temple.
How to reach Mahakaleshwar jyotirlinga from Delhi?
The best way to reach Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga from Delhi is by train. You can take a train from Delhi to Ujjain Junction, which is the nearest railway station to Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga. From Ujjain Junction, you can take a taxi or auto–rickshaw to the temple, which is located about 2 km away.
How to reach Mahakaleshwar jyotirlinga from Lucknow?
The best way to reach Mahakaleshwar jyotirlinga from Lucknow is by train. The nearest railway station to Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is Ujjain Junction, which is located about 2 km from the temple. One can take a train from Lucknow Charbagh to Ujjain Junction and then take a taxi or a bus to reach the temple.
How to reach Mahakaleshwar jyotirlinga from Hyderabad?
The most convenient way to reach Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga from Hyderabad is to take a flight to Ujjain (Indore Airport), Madhya Pradesh, and then take a taxi or bus to the temple. The total journey time is approximately 8 hours.
How to reach Mahakaleshwar jyotirlinga from Ahmedabad?
By Road: The most convenient and preferred way to reach Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga from Ahmedabad is by road. The approximate road distance between Ahmedabad and Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is 388 km. You can hire a cab from Ahmedabad and reach Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga within 10 hours.
By Train: You can board a train from Ahmedabad Junction railway station to Ujjain Junction railway station. The approximate rail distance between Ahmedabad and Ujjain is 326 km and the journey duration is approximately 8.5 hours. From Ujjain Junction railway station, you can take a cab or a rikshaw to reach Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga which is around 2 km away.
By Air: The nearest airport to Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport in Indore which is located around 100 km away. You can board a flight from Ahmedabad to Indore and then take a cab or a bus to reach Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga.
How to reach Mahakaleshwar jyotirlinga from Mumbai?
The best way to reach Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga from Mumbai is by road. It takes around 12.5 hours to cover the distance of 640 km. You can take train and flight also.
Which railway station is near to Mahakaleshwar temple?
The nearest railway station to Mahakaleshwar temple is Ujjain Junction, located about 3 km away.
Which airport is near to Mahakaleshwar temple?
The nearest airport to Mahakaleshwar Temple is Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport (IDR) in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India, which is approximately 57 km away.