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.

The ashram complex is beautiful








Mahapabhu Acharyacharan Vallabhacharya Ji Ki baithak

Mahaprabhu has 84 Baithaks around India. This is supposed to be 73 rd Baithak out of 84.

Baba Chamliyal,India-Pak border,Jammu


Baba Chamliyal or Pir Baba Chamliyal is located in a small village around 50 kms from Jammu city.Before I proceed to discuss the significance of this place it is important to understand the story behind this place.
The was a saintly gentleman called Baba Dalip Singh staying in the village called Chamliyal, Jammu.He commanded good deal of respect from people from either sides of the border. He had a habit of quenching the thirst of travellers by providing them water from his own hands. As it has always happened in history, there were a few irrational elements who hated Baba ji for his good deeds. One day they called Baba ji conspiringly to a nearby village ( now in pakistan) and beheaded him.
Surprisingly, Baba ji's head flew back to Indian side and body remained in Pakistan. One day a follwer of Baba ji had severe skin disease (charm rog), no doctor could cure it. It is said that Baba Ji appeared in his dream and instructed him to make a paste out of gravel ( they call it Shakkar close to the border and water (they call it Sharbat) from the well that he had dug himself to feed the travellers. Amazingly his disease cured. Since then Chamliyal has been a place of great devotion and a center of curing chronic skin diseases.The area is under the control of BSF and one can literally see the Pakistani posts from our side.There is a dargah in Indian side of the border as well a durgah in the Pakistan side too.


Rest of the story and significance would be better understood pictorially.

Main enterance

Read this








Shakkar, it is a very fine, soft gravel unlike the one that we have in parks or garden








The well from which Sharbat is dug up









Main Dargah

Shri Mandhata Omkareshwar Mahadev

Namah Shivay Om !!!!

Dear all,
As all of u know that Shri Omkareshwar is revered as the fourth Jyotirling in India. I have always wondered , how many pilgrims actually understand the meaning of the word "Jyotirling". As i could understand, it means "light of fire". It is only a these twelve revered places that the Lingam appears as a blazing light of fire, special place of worship.
By lord' grace I have been to five jyotrilings. I'll randomly post all my visits together with pics wherever possible.
njoy !!!!


Let us begin our journey from New Delhi ( since i began it from here)
To reach Omkareshwar , one needs to travel to Indore first. U can board local buses travelling to Omkareshwar from Indore. The road distance between Indore and Omkareshwar is around 75-80 kms. The roads are in pretty good condition and it takes around three hours to reach there. The Indore bus stand is just across the railway station. U will be received by people shouting location names where buses travel. Pick the right one and it'll escort u to the bus leaving for Omkareshwar. Just remember one thing,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, confirm to the conductor whether he'll be taking u straight to Omkareshwar or Mortakka (A small town 14 km from Omkareshwar). In case it is Mortakka then tell him to arrange the bus for u to Omkareshwar.

The main bridge leading to other side of the island

It a long bridge to pass !!

First view of the main temple






The main Swayambhu Shivling

This Shivaling satnds around one feet tall. Chemically it is constituted of limestone. This ling is believed to be around 25 lac yrs old.

Narmada Ji

There are a very few ghats at Narmada ji where u can take a dunk. I have known "NAGAR GHAT" as one of the better ghats for the purpose. Anybody can guide you to Nagar ghat there.

A closer look

There is sense of peace in this place. out from the crowded metropolitans one can feel inner peace here. The locals are very helpful and do not ask for money like other places ( except the pandas).

There is a parikrama that is being performed by the side of Narmada ji. It is said that Adi Jagadguru Shri Shankaracharya ji started this parikrama. Legend is that Lord Ram also undertook Narmada Parikrama when he visited this place during exile. It humbly takes over three hrs to complete this parikrama. Go for it only when u have time and ability to walk in terrain.

One can see the parikrama marg atop the hill

A lord Shiv statue installed in the parikrama marg

If someone has set foot for the parikrama then it is advisable to complete it before dawn as there is no lighting facility in the marg. MP tourism has taken many initiatives to modernize the parikrama path. It is the only parikrama in the world where one circumbulates a river.

Way to Mamleshwar (the other half of the Shivaling)

Main temple structure

Temple premises

View of Omkareshwar from Mamleshwar

It is relatively easy to visit Mamleshwar first and then board a ferry (its cheap) across the river to Omkareshwar temple. As a matter of fact Omkareshwar temple draws more crowd than Mamleshwar.

There area lot of things to be seen at this place. The irony is that Indore is being the central place everybody ( including me) visits here in a rush and due to akward timings of the bus and train usually ends up visiting only these two temples only & ultimately it is something that matters !!!!!!
I have some more pics in my mobile which I intend to load very soon. Anybody visiting here requires any kind of help, just mail me or leave a comment, i'll reply back.
Thanx
Nitin Datta