Top 10 Facts About Mahakaleshwar (Mahakal) Temple, Ujjain

Introducing you to the mesmerizing city of Hindu culture and traditions-Ujjain aka city of Mahakal.

Hail Mahakal !

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Ujjain — Source: Google Maps

Namaste!

Awestruck? Why I have praised Mahakal in the begining. Mahakal is the name given to Lord Shiva. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the famous 12 jyotirlinga of lord Shiva. We at www.onindianpath.com, constantly working to introduce you to the hidden facts of Hinduism.

Table of Contents

Mahakal – King of Ujjain

Hence, we are here again with the blog dedicated to Lord Shiva, Mahakaleshwar jyotirlinga, Ujjain. Ujjain is located at Madhya Pradesh, India.

Firstly, lets talk about Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is the king of Ujjain. Here, the Linga is swayambhu (self made).What makes it different from other jyotirlingas is that the Shivling is facing towards the south direction. As referred in holy text, south is the direction of Death. Mahakal is the name given to Lord Shiva because of his power to defeat untimely death and misfortune.

Do you know people at Ujjain call him Mahakal Baba? Baba is a Hindi word used for a fatherly figure. Devotees call him Baba because they know just like a father, he will take away all the sorrows and hurdles away form their life.

Legends Behind Mahakal

Why shaivianites are passionate for Mahakal? Mahakal is the only jyotirlinga facing towards South direction while all other jyotirlingas face toward East.

As per Hindu text, South is the direction of death. Mahakal is the deity who protects his devotees from untimely death. In Sanskrit, mahakal is the amalgamation of two words maha (great) and kaal (death and time). Mahakal is the god who has won over death and time.

Some of the ancient text suggests that when goddess Sati was insulted by her father in the yagna, Shiva was furious. To show his anger to the world, he took the role of Mahakal and did Tandav (furious dance form).

Apparently there are few highlights you must know about he divine abode of Mahakal-Ujjain.

What is special about Ujjain ?

Hindu ancient text suggests that Ujjain is the city lying on the first meridian of geography of world.
Surya Siddhant (4th century astronomical treatise) explains Ujjain’s location at a spot of zero degree meridian of latitude and Tropic of cancer intersects. It is called Greenwich of India.
Wherever you are born, your horoscope will be made on basis of Hindu Panchang. It has calculations based on the time zone of Ujjain.
Skandh Purana says that Ujjain is the place of origination of MANGAL GRIHA (planet Mars).
As per Agni Purana, Ujjain is the city of salvation.
Ujjain (awantika) has been marked as one of the 7 pious puri of Hinduism to attain moksha.
As stated by Ramayana, Lord Rama performed last rites of his father Dashrath on the banks of river Kshipra. It is called Ramghat.
Great scholar Kalidasa and king Vikrama Aditya has shaped the history of the city. King Vikram also started Vikram saka from Ujjain calender in 58-56 BC.
Astrologically and scientifically, the city is centrally located. Our ancestors used vedshala to calculate the time and future planetary position.
Vedshala is located at Ujjain. It is referred as one of the biggest sundial and yantras to calculate time and observe planetary positions.
It is believed that Mahakal is the king of the city and no other royal dynasty ruler can stay in the city.

Additionally, Ujjain has been marked as a starting point of the evolution of system of calculations of time.

Maha Kumbh at Ujjain

Furthermore, Ujjain witness Maha Kumbh every 12 years. Kumbh Mela is a spiritual gathering of thousand of sages, saints and devotees at a sacred location.

Besides, they take holy dip in the Shipra river, pray and chant religious mantras and hymns.

Precisely, Kumbh Mela is a pilgrimage for Hindus to celebrate revolution of Brihaspati (Jupiter). We will be covering this topic in detail in coming blogs.

Globally renowned Sawan sawari of Mahakal is a big thing. It is a procession of Mahakal (lord Shiva) that takes place every year. Additionally, it attracts devotees all around the world. It is organised in the month of shravan (July -Aug).

Timings of Mahakal

Darshana Timings : 4 AM to 11 PM

Bhasm Aarti : 4 AM

Morning Aarti : 7 AM

Evening Aarti : 5 PM

Shri Mahakal Aarti : 7 PM

Tickets : Although, there are INR 750 and INR 1500 charges for Darshana and Jal Abhisjekam of divine lingam.

Note : There is line for free darshana too.

How to Reach

A devotee is a follower of his divine guidance from his heart. But, to make your path to spiritual growth and divine darshana of Mahakal more vivid and precise, we are here with a route map.

By Air: Nearest Airport is Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airpoet, Indore. It is 58 kms away form city of Ujjain.

By Train: Ujjain Junction Railway Station is well connected to major cities via long route and short route trains.

By Road: This is the best route to reach Ujjain. As the city is connected to main highways like NH 3, NH 59 and NH 59A. One can opt for various pre and post paid taxis services.

Discovering the Astonishing Bhasm Aarti of Mahakal

Bhasm Aarti is the main attraction of the place. It is a daily ritual performed in Brahma Muhurat (4 AM) to pay homage to the deity. It is the ritual where the aarti of the deity is performed with bhasm (holy ash) while chanting of mantras by highly ranked priest of the temple.

Firstly, the Linga is offered bath ritual by jal abhishek(offering water). Then after, milk, honey and curd is offered to the Shivling.

Secondly, shivling is covered with white clean cloth. Afterword, the holy ash is dusted to the linga in the potli of mulmul cloth. Lastly, priest do the shringar (decorating the linga).

During this process, women present in the temple are asked to cover their eyes and face. The reason behind is that Lord Shiva takes saakar (shape and form) from nirakaar (formless).

Surprisingly, bhasm is the holy Ash. Do you know this ash comes from Funeral Pyres ? Mahakal is the god of death. His existance and significance is beyond the cycle of death and birth. That’s why he is offered bhasm.

In addition, it take 45 minutes to do the shringaar of the deity. Then after the first offering of fire (lamp, incense and other items like camphor) is made to the lord.

During the aarti, one can feel the vibrations and presence of the god.

Dress Code During Bhasm Aarti

Devotees have to follow dress code to attend the pious ritual of the temple. Men should wear cotton Dhoti and women should wear Saree.

One can book online ticket to witness the life time magic of bhasm aarti. The devotee needs to book the tickets one month before on the official portal www.shrimahakaleshwar.com

Conclusion

I am sure after reading this blog you will be more curious and eager to visit Ujjain. One can not resist himself from witnessing the mesmerizing magic of Mahakal.

Lets grow together by enlightenment ourselves with such insightful readings.

About Author

Akansha Agarwal

Namaste! AKANSHA AGARWAL is on a mission to help people to fall in love with India and its richest culture. She holds M.A. and B.A. in Mass communications. Her 12 years of work experience as a copywriter and content writer has marked her journey more fun and enthralling. She strongly believe in Karma and abide by the Niyama and Yama of Hinduism. She has been a spiritual seeker, Reiki healer, teacher, guide and mentor to many young minds. She would love to hear from you. Thank you for reading.

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