The Indian Eye: 2010

Shri Mahakaleshwar, Ujjain

Namah Shivay om !!!
One of the most sacred among the twelve jyotirlings in India is Shri Mahakaleshwar situated in Ujjain, MP.This swayambhu shivaling has a unique feature of being " Dakshin Mukhi" , uniquely sacred among the tantra sect.Ujjain , historically has been the kingdom of Raja Vikramaditya,a great king, scholar, sculptor and above all , a great devotee of Bhagwan Mahakaal and Mata Harsiddhi Devi.
I will not be discussing the legend or story behind this Jyotriling, there is enough information on the net.I'll tell u Ujjain as i have seen and felt.so lets begin our journey.
Well, typically the journey starts from Hzt Nizamuddin railway statioin in new delhi. Intercity express is one good option for the journey.The journey takes around twelve hrs and it is not a backbone breaking journey.There are plenty of options for staying in Ujjain. preferably u can choose to stay around the temple or nearby. Rooms are easily available and an overnight stay costs around 600-700 rupees for two people.The food served is too delicious and any local hotel or restaurant can serve u good food.
Ujjain houses 84 Mahadevs, 64 Yoginis, 8 Vinayaks and 4 Bhairavs.They are scattered in and out of Ujjain.I have alist of 84 Mahadevs. It goes as follows :

1. Abhayeshwara Mahadeva
2. Abhimukteshwara Mahadeva
3. Agasteshwara Mahadeva
4. Akrureshwara Mahadeva
5. Anadikalpeshwara Mahadeva
6. Anandeshwara Mahadeva
7. Anarkeshwara Mahadeva
8. Angarakeshwara Mahadeva
9. Apsareshwara Mahadeva
10. Aruneshwara Mahadeva
11. Badaleashwara Mahadeva
12. Bilkeshwara Mahadeva
13. Brahmeshwara Mahadeva
14. Chandradityeshwara Mahadeva
15. Chyavaneshwara Mahadeva
16. Damarukeshwara Mahadeva
17. Duddhareshwara Mahadeva
18. Dudeshwara Mahadeva
19. Durdureshwara Mahadeva
20. Gangeshwara Mahadeva
21. Ghanteshwara Mahadeva
22. Gurihashwara Mahadeva
23. Hanumanteshwara Mahadeva
24. Indradhamneshwara Mahadeva
25. Indreshwara Mahadeva
26. Ishaneshwara Mahadeva
27. Jalpeshwara Mahadeva
28. Jateshwara Mahadeva
29. Kalakaleshwara Mahadeva
30. Kameshwara Mahadeva
31. Kandhadeshwara Mahadeva
32. Kantheshwara Mahadeva
33. Kapaleshwara Mahadeva
34. Karabheshwara Mahadeva
35. Karkateshwara Mahadeva
36. Karkoteshwara Mahadeva
37. Kayavarohaneshwara Mahadeva
38. Kedareshwara Mahadeva
39. Khandeshwara Mahadeva
40. Kukkuteshwara Mahadeva
41. Kundeshwara Mahadeva
42. Kusumeshwara Mahadeva
43. Kutumbeshwara Mahadeva
44. Lokapaleshwara Mahadeva
45. Lumpeshwara Mahadeva
46. Mahalayeshwara Mahadeva
47. Markandeshwara Mahadeva
48. Matangeshwara Mahadeva
49. Meghanadeshwara Mahadeva
50. Mukteshwara Mahadeva
51. Nagachandreshwara Mahadeva
52. Nripareshwara Mahadeva
53. Onkareshwara Mahadeva
54. Pantaneshwara Mahadeva
55. Pashupateshwara Mahadeva
56. Pingaleshwara Mahadeva
57. Pishachamukteshwara Mahadeva
58. Pratihareshwara Mahadeva
59. Prayageshwara Mahadeva
60. Prithukeshwara Mahadeva
61. Pushpadanteshwara Mahadeva
62. Rajasthaleshwara Mahadeva
63. Rameshwara Mahadeva
64. Revanteshwara Mahadeva
65. Rupeshwara Mahadeva
66. Sahastradhanukareshwara Mahadeva
67. Sangameshwara Mahadeva
68. Saubhageshwara Mahadeva
69. Shiveshwara Mahadeva
70. Shrisiddheshwara Mahadeva,
71. Shriswapneshwara Mahadeva
72. Shuleshwara Mahadeva
73. Siddheshwara Mahadeva
74. Singheshwara Mahadeva
75. Someshwara Mahadeva
76. Sthawareshwara Mahadeva
77. Swargadwareshwara Mahadeva
78. Swarnajaleshwara Mahadeva
79. Trilochaneshwara Mahadeva
80. Trivishtapeshwara Mahadeva
81. Uttareshwara Mahadeva
82. Vireshwara Mahadeva
83. Vishvareshwara Mahadeva
84. Yageshwara Mahadeva

Kshipra ji

Kshipra ji is the main diety river of Ujjain revered as Lord Shiva' daughter

Mahakaleshwar Temple complex

This kund is called "Koti Teerth", jal from this kund is offered to the Mahakaal Ling

Gumbad

Main diety, Jai Mahakaal

This section of the temple is called Garbh Graha, not very spacious but darshan is astounding, u can offer panchamrit, jal, bhel patra etc to the Ling, The circumfrence of the Ling was built by King Vikramaditya.

Main enterance Mata Harsiddhi Devi temple

Har Siddhi Devi

This temple is a Shakti Peeth. it is believed that Sati' Elbow fell at his spot. Mata Harsiddhi Devi was the Kuldevi & Aradhyadevi of King Vikram Aditya. The temple is located at few mts distance from Mahakaal temple.

Bhasma Shringar

This the most important event that happens at the early part of the day. Bhasam Aarti takes place in the Garbh Graha at mandir premises. One needs to contact at the trust office and give a written application for attending the aarti. There is no formal fee to be paid for attending the aarti. Aarti starts at around 03:00 AM and ends at aroud 04:15 AM.

Ram Ghat, Kshipraji

Chintaman Ganesh

Main Diety

It is believed that one should visit Chintaman Ganesh before going for a parikrama of temples in and around Ujjain.

Bara Ganesh

Gopal Mandir

It is the only temple in India where Lord Vishnu is offered Bhilva Patra (normally offered to Lord Shiva). It is near Ram Ghat , Kshipra ji.

Mangalnath Ji

Mangalnath Ji again

Mangalnath ji is the birthplace of planet "MANGAL/MARS" revered as the aggrapujak of Shri Mahakaal. He is also reverd as his "Senapati". Besides Mahakaal it is Mangal Nath ji where Bhasma Shringar is performed. It is believed that ever morning he is the one who has Mahakal' darshan before anyone. It is the ultimate center for mangal dosh nivaran. A must visit in Ujjain.

Mangalnath Shivaling

Kaal Bhairav Temple

Legend

Main Temple complex

Garhkalika Devi

Old Ujjain was situated in the vincinity of this templeThis a Kaali temple. Old Ujjayani was located in the vincinity of these temple. This temple is located in the outskirts of the city. This place is also considered as a Shakti Peeth. It is believed that Sati' upper lip fell on this place.

Sandipani Ashram,Bhagwan Krishna ki paathshala

Sandipani ashram homes two shivalings, Sarveshwar Mahadev and Kundeshwar Mahadev. It is said that Lord Sri krsna used to perform daily abhishek to Sarveshwar Mahadev and then proceed for studies.