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Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling Temple in Ujjain Madhya Pradesh


Here is Some Information about Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling Temple in Ujjain Madhya Pradesh India.

Location: Ujjain, on the banks of Rudra Sagar Lake, Madhya Pradesh
Dedicated to:  Lord Shiva
Significance: One of the twelve Jyotilingas of Shiva
Entry: Free
Photography: Allow
Best time to Visit: All time
Visiting Timing: 30Mins
Official Websit:www.mahakaleshwar.nic.in 
Nearest Railway Station:  Ujjain station
Nearest  Airport: Indore- 53 Km

The Mahakal Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, is a famous and venerated Shiva temple. 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. It is the most popular and important temple of Ujjain. Every year on shivratri (claimed to be the Wedding day of Lord Shiva), there is a huge crowd of devotees for darshan. The same kind of public crowd can be seen in the month of Savaan, NagPanchami. On every Monday of "Savan", there is a huge procession for the Lord Shiva idol in the city attended by large numbers of devotees from across the India.
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.
In order to reach the temple, one can take regular buses or taxis that are available throughout Madhya Pradesh.
According to Hindu scriptures, the universe is seen as consisting of three regions-the sky, the earth and the nether. Mahakal is Lord of the earth. Out of the 12 Jyotirlingas, only Mahakal is known as the Lord of the earth and Lord of the death (Kaalo k kaal Mahakal).
The idol of Mahakaleshwar is known to be dakshinamurti, which means that it is facing the south. This is a unique feature, upheld by the tantric shivnetra tradition to be found only in Mahakaleshwar among the 12 Jyotirlingas.
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 the middle (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. (To read about another three tiered temple in Tamilnadu, where the uppermost shrine is opened to the public every Friday at midnight.
Temple Timings 

The Temples is opens at 3:30 am .The Bhasma Arti is performed between 4:00 am and 6:00 am. Between 7:30 am to 8:15 am the Naivadya Arti is performed. Between 10:30 am to 11:15 am,the Mahabhog Arti is performed. In the evening, the Sandhya Arti is organised at 6:30 pm to 7:15 pm and Shayan Arti at 10:30 pm. The temple closes at 11:00 pm.
Mahakal and Bhasma Arti

To attend Bhasma Arti in Mahakaleshwar is desire for every Hindu devotee. Mahakal and Bhasma Arti are synonymous with each other. Bhasma means ash. Mahakaleshwar is the only Jyotirlinga temple,where the Bhasma Arti is performed. Amidst vedic chants and strotras and sounds of cymbals, conchs and damru, the Bhasma arti is performed every morning (Except the second day of Mahashivaratri) from 4:00 am to 6:00 am to the Lord Mahakaleshwar. The Bhasma is prepared by burning dried cow dung. The mahant of the Akhil Bhratiya Mahanirvani Akhada or his representative offers the Bhasma.

The Bhasma Arti has its own protocols. During Bhasma Arti, no one can enter in the garbhagriha for worship wearing regular clothes. Only males wearing sola or silk clothe on their loins are allowed to enter into garbhagriha.At the time of Bhasma Arti,women are not allowed to enter inside. The devotees enjoy watching the great puja sitting in Sabhagruha just outside the garbhagriha. On next day of Mahashivaratri, the Bhasma Arti is held in afternoon after removal of the Lord's Sehra (bridegroom’s floral crown).This happens only once a year.

Related information on Bhasma Arti

As mentioned, the Mahakaleswar Temple is another famous tantrik center of Ujjain. So for tantriks, the Bhasma Arti is most important. It is said that the ash with which the Shiva linga is 'bathed' every morning must be that of a corpse that has been cremated the day before. If no cremation has taken place at Ujjain, then the ash must be obtained at all costs from the nearest cremation ground.

However, the temple authorities assert that though it was once customary for the ash to belong to a 'fresh' corpse, the practice had long been discontinued. Whatever the truth, pilgrims travel long distances to watch the Bhasm Arti. The belief goes that those who are fortunate to watch this ritual will never die a premature death.

Architecture

During Muslim invasions, the original temple was attacked and it was reconstructed by the Scindias in the recent times. The spire of this three-storied temple dominates the skyline of southern part of Ujjain. The huge and grand structure of the temple is awe-inspiring. The curved structure is festooned with motifs on its all sides, intensifying above the pillared porches. The corridors' walls are garlanded with the old statues and sculptures, whereas the courtyard comprises remnants of ancient shrines. The floors are decked with pricked railings, while the balconies are festooned with splendid roofs festooned in Rajput architectural style.

Festivals & Rituals 

According to the Hindu beliefs, Lord Shiva is considered as the destroyer of the Universe. This belief is further enhanced by the fact that the Lord dwells in the cremation grounds. In this temple, one ritual includes a ceremony, where the lingam is smeared with the hot ash that is brought from the cremation grounds. This ritual suggests the vicious circle of life and death that is an inseparable part of the Hindu mythology.

'Mahashivratri' is the major festival that is observed in the temple with full gusto and fervor. At this time, a grand fair is held in the vicinity of this temple. For the whole night, prayers and worship are offered to the Lord. This sculptural delight allures people with its divine charisma and religious appeal from all over the World.

Other Jyotirling in India 

Somnath
Mallikarjun
Kedarnath
Omkareshwar
Bhimashankar
Vishwanath
Tryambakeshwar
Vaidyanath
Nageshwar
Rameswaram
Grishneshwar

How to Rich Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling in Ujjain 

By Air : Nearest airport is Indore- 53 Km
By Rail : The nearest railway station is Ujjain
By Road : Well connected to all cities.
 
Mahakal Mantra 

Om Mahakal Mahakaya, Mahakal Jagatpate |
Mahakal Mahayogin Mahakal Namostute ||
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