Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Ujjain

Ujjain, Ujjain district, Madhya Pradesh

Jyotirlinga 3/12
12 Jyotirlingas

About

Mahakaleshwar, the third jyotirlinga, is in Ujjain, the ancient Avantika, near the river Shipra. Its linga is believed to be swayambhu (self-born) and it faces south. It is the only one of the twelve to face south. The south is linked with time and death, and here Shiv is worshipped as Mahakal, the Lord of Time. The temple has several levels, with Omkareshwar Mahadev in a shrine above and Nagchandreshwar on the top floor. Its Bhasma Aarti, in which the linga is adorned with sacred ash, is famous across India.

The story

The Shiv Puran tells of a Brahmin named Vedapriya who lived in Avantika with his four sons. All of them worshipped Shiv every day. In those days a demon called Dushan, proud of a boon from Brahma ji, began to trouble the people and stop all worship. When he came with his army to Avantika, the Brahmins had no weapons. They sat before their clay Shivling and kept praying. As the demons rushed at them, the earth beside the linga split open and Shiv rose in a fierce form as Mahakal. With one mighty roar he ended Dushan and his army. The devotees prayed that he stay and protect the city for ever, and Shiv remained there as the jyotirlinga Mahakaleshwar.

Another well-loved story tells of King Chandrasen of Ujjain and a little boy named Shrikar, whose true devotion moved Shiv to protect the city from attacking kings.

In history, the temple was rebuilt in the 18th century under the Maratha commander Ranoji Shinde.

Visiting

October to March is the most comfortable time; Shravan and Maha Shivratri are very crowded. Many devotees wish to attend the early-morning Bhasma Aarti, so plan ahead. Ujjain also has the ghats of the Shipra and the old Vedh Shala (observatory). The Omkareshwar jyotirlinga is about 140 km away.

Festivals

Maha Shivratri (night-long worship and fair)
Mahakal Sawari in Shravan and Bhadrapad
Nag Panchami (the one day of darshan of Nagchandreshwar)
Simhastha Kumbh (held in Ujjain every twelve years)

12 Jyotirlingas

Sources