Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Ujjain

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingams, which are supposed to be the most sacred abodes of Shiva. It is located in the ancient city of Ujjain in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. The temple is situated on the side of the Rudra Sagar lake.

Mahakaleshwar is the Lord of Time and Death.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 Shivling in this temple is supposed to be the only Jyotirling which faces south and hence it is known as Dakshinmukhi or the south-facing ling upheld by the tantric shivnetra tradition. It is the most popular and important temple of Ujjain. 

                                                                                                         

Every year on shivratri , there is a huge crowd of devotees for darshan. The same kind of public crowd can be seen in the month of Saavan, Nag Panchami. On every Monday of "Saavan", there is a huge procession for the Lord Shiva idol in the city attended by large numbers of devotees from across the India.

The idol of Omkareshwar Mahadev 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 vehicle of Lord Shiva.

             

The temple is a three tiered one, with Mahakal at the lowest level, which is actually below the ground. At themiddle (ground) level is a temple to Omkareshwar, and over it is a shrine to Nagachandreshwara. This is an interesting shrine which is opened only on Nagapanchami day every year.

Sanctity of the waters of the Shipra

The belief in the sacredness of Shipra, has its origins in the ancient Hindu mythological tale of churning of the Ocean by the Gods and the Demons, with Vasuki, the serpent as the rope. The ocean bed first yielded fourteen gems, then Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, and finally the coveted vessel of Nectar. Then began the wild scramble for immortality with the demons chasing the Gods across the skies, and in the process, a few drops were spilt, and fell at Hardwar, Nasik, Prayag, and Ujjayini. Hence the sanctity of the waters of the Shipra.

How to Reach Ujjain - The TirthRaj

Reach Ujjain by Airway:

Nearest airport is Indore (53 K.m.). Flights arriving from Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Gwalior.

Reach Ujjain by Train

Ujjain is directly connected by railway line to Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Mumbai, Fouzabad, Lucknow,Dehradun, Delhi, Banaras, Kochin, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Howrah and many more.

Reach Ujjain by Road

Ujjain is directly connected by road to Indore, Surat, Gwaliar, Pune, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Udaypur, Nasik, Mathura.

Places of interest in Ujjain

Shri Kala Bhairava Ujjain

Shaivite form worship has assgned importance to the aderation of bight Bhairavas also. Kala Bhairavas is the forenio among them. Skanda-purana has made a mention of the temple of Kala Bhairavas in it Avanti-khanda. According to some antique tradition, the follower of Kapalika and Aghora seets used to worship Shiva or Bhairava. Ujjain was also connected with the pattern of worship developed by these seets. People offer even liquor, as a part of their worship, to Kala Bhairava. It is said that a certain king named Bhadrass got this temple constructed. This must have been a great temple during Paramar period. Paramar period images of Shiva, Parvati,Vishnu and Ganesh have been recovered from this place. The temple has usually been rebuilt with the remains of the old temple. Beautiful paintings of Malwa-style once decorated the temple walls. the temple to in right of the courtyard is dedicated to Vittal and to the left it is a Dharmashala.
 

Vedhsala Ujjain

Vedhsala (observatory) was constructed by Savai Raja Jayasingh between 1725 to 1730 A.D. Similar observatories were constructed by Raja Jayasingh at four other places-Delhi, Jaipur, Mathura and Varanasi. Samrat yantra, Nadivalaya yantra, Digansha yantra and Yamyottara-Bhitti yantra and the main instruments constructed in this observatory. Motions and orbits of the panel are studied through these instruments. On this count people call it Yantra-Mahal also. This observatory was renovated by Madhav Rao Scindia the then Maharaja of earstwhile Gwalior State in 1923 A.D. Astronomied studies of planetary motions are still conducted in this observatory under the department of education and an ephemeris in published every year. In this way this is the only observatory among the observatories of Jayasingh where these masonic instruments are even today utilised for astronomical studies.This
 

Sandipani Asrama Ujjain

According to the puranie traditional Yogeshwar Krishna and his friend Sudama received regular instruction in the asrama of Kulaguru Sandipani. Besides Mahabharat Puranas, Shrimad Bhagavata, Brahma, Agni and Brahmavaivarta bear references to Sandipani Asrama. Archacological evidences of three thousand years old painted-grey-wall have been recovered from this area. These bear a resemblance to the similar remains recovered at Hastinapur, Indraprastha, Mathura, Ahichchhatra and Kaushambi. Gomati-kunda is the old source of water supply to the asrama and the same has been referred to in the Puranas also. The image of standing Nandi, near the tank, is worth seeing and its belongs to the Shunga period. The are near by is known as Ankapata Popul ar sales describe the place as used by Lord krishna for washing his writing tablet. In the beginning of the Sixteenth century Shri Vallabhacharya delivered his religious discourses in the vicinity of this ashram. There is a Peepal-tree planted by the Acharya which is testified by a letter of degree granted to one Narottam Sharma. The followers of the Vallabha seet count this place as the Seventythird Seat of their Acharya while he is said to have made Eightyfour sittings for religious discourses throughout India.

Chintaman Ganesh in Ujjain

The Present sanetam of Chitaman Ganesh is very old. Riddhi and Siddhi the two goddeses are enshrined on both the sides the idol of Ganesh. Traditionally this is known as the seat of Chintaman Ganesh (assurer of freedom from worldly anxieties and people assemble here in large number offer their prayers on Wednesdays in the month of Chaitra. Artistic pillars in the assembly hall of the temple belong to the Paramar period. The temple was renovated by Ahalyadevi Holker with the addtion of a water tank and the boundary-wall.

Triveni Navagraha Ujjain

Present temple of Navagraha the nine planet on the Triveni ghat of Shipra is a prominent cemtre of attraction for the pilgrims. There ia aconfluance of Khan river near Triveni ghat on the Shipra. The river is called Banaganga at nearby Indore. Some people named this river as Tungabhadra. Mythological sanctity of the invisible river saraswati associated eith the story of Triveni Sangam is attributed to this place also. Large crowds throng the Navagraha temple on the new moon falling on Saturdays. Religious importance of this contemporary life although there is hardly any reference to this place in the ancient texts.
 

Mangalanatha Ujjain

According to Matsy-purana this is celebrate as the birth place of Mars. The Mangalagrah. Shipra river presents a beautiful vice in front of the temple. Devoteed specially visit the temple in large number on Tuseday. Located on a hillock the place represents the highest point in the area. In ancient times the place was famous for a clear view of Mars. Ujjain was an important centre for astronomical studeies. This place-traditionally knows for its suitability for astronomical readings of Mars continues to hold it’s religious importance. Image of Mahadeva offered worship in this temple.
 

Siddhavata Ujjain

Siddhavata at Ujjain is as well-known for its sanctity as Akshayavata of Prayag. Vamshivata of Vrindavan and Panchavati of Nasik. Post-Funeral rites are performed here at the Siddhavata ghat of holy Shipra. Skanda-purana has referred to this place as preta-shila-tirth. According to same opinion. Parvati performed her penances here. This has also been a place of worship for the followers of Natha-seat. Shipra abounds with tortoises as Siddhavata Old coins of Ujjain asr found to bear the imprint of tortoises along woth river. This is also an indicative of the fact that the tortoises must have flourished here even in an ancient period. It is so said that this Banian tree was once sought to be vanished by cutting if off and covering it with iron sheets but its offshoots piereed through the iron sheets and this tree regained its foliation.