Swayambhu Jyotirlinga - The Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, MP

New Delhi: Mahakal in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh is home to the famous Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple.It is also known as the Lord of time and Death.It is one of the most famous Hindu temples and one of the twelve Jyotirlingams, which is observed as sacred sittings of Shiva among all the other. Located in the ancient city of Ujjain the temple is situated On the banks of river Kshipra. It is also named as as Indrapuri Amaravati, and Avantika. This town is also known as “Swarna Sringa”, because of the number of golden towers of several temples.One of the seven cities of deliverance or salvation, Avantika Nagar has 7 Sagar Teerthas, 28 teerthas, 84 SiddhaLingas, 25-30 SivaLingas, Ashtabhairav, Ekadasa Rudrasthana, temples for hundreds of deities, Jalakund and monuments are there.Here Lord Shiva in the lingam form is believed to be Swayambhu (born of itself) , the only of the 12 Jyotirlingams to be so which is derived from the currents of power (Shakti). It is one place where Shakti peeta and Jyotirlingam are together. It is supposed to be the most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva.The idol of Mahakaleshwar is known as dakshinamurti as it is which facing the south. This is a unique feature to be found only in Mahakaleshwar among the 12 Jyotirlingas. The images of Lord Ganesh, Mata Parvati and Karttikeya are installed in the west, north and east of the holiest place.To the extreme south is the image of Nandi, the vehicle of Lord Shiva. On the day of Nag Panchami, the idol of Nagchandreshwar which is on the third storey is open for darshan.The temple is beautifully scculptired and has five levels and one of which is underground. The temple is located in a spacious courtyard which is surrounded by massive walls near a lake. Mentioned by the great poet Kalidasa in his works, MahakaleshwarTemple,is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who the Destryer of the Universe. The Shiva linga is worshipped all over India as it is considered as Shiva's incarnate power on earth. One of the most prominent rituals performed in this temple is the Bhasm Arti. At 4 AM after the abhishek the bhasam or the Chitabhasm is applied all over the linga ( which is hot ashes from the burning ghats or cremation grounds). If any one even touches it by mistake, one is required to bathe in order to be purified. But this very ash becomes holy, by merely touching the body of Mahakal, because Shiva is Nishkam or lust-less. He is not touched by material desires. That is why Shiva is Mangalmay or auspicious.This form of worship is symbolic of Death and Life being inseparable.