7 interesting facts about Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar Temple you must know | In Pics
7 interesting facts about Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar Temple you must know | In Pics
The Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in the Hindu tradition. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas which falls in the Avantika Puri, mentioned in scriptures.
Mahakaleshwat Temple in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas considered sacred in the Hindu religion. The temple is the centre of faith of crores of Hindus with a footfall of over 15 million annually.
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Sometimes, the grand Shivlinga is adorned with various faces, making the temple a major attraction for millions of people. The Bhasma Aarti, performed in the early morning, is another thrilling experience. There are some interesting facts about the Mahakal Temple that every visitor should know, as learning about them enhances the devotee's experience even more.
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History: According to Hindu scriptures, a boy named Shrikar was deeply inspired by Ujjain King Chandrasena's devotion to Lord Shiva. Filled with faith, he began worshipping a stone as a form of Shiva. Despite numerous attempts by others to discourage him, Shrikar’s unwavering dedication moved Lord Shiva to manifest as a Jyotirlinga in the Mahakal Forest. This divine intervention consecrated the site as a sacred place of worship.
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Bhasma Arti: One of the most fascinating aspects of the Mahakal Temple is its Bhasma Aarti ritual, which is conducted every morning before sunrise. This ancient ceremony involves offering sacred ash (bhasma) to the deity, symbolizing the transient nature of life. During the ritual, the Shiva Lingam is covered with holy ash and worshipped with various sacred rites, creating a profound and unparalleled experience for devotees.
Dakshinamukhi: Among all 12 Jyotirlingas, Mahakaleshwat is the only one that faces south and hence is called Dakshinamukhi Jyotirlinga. This uniqueness of Mahakal signifies that it emerged on its own (swayanbhu) rather than being placed by human hands.
Mysterious Upper Floor: In the Mahakaleshwar Temple, the uppermost floor is home to the Nagachandresvara lingam. The uppermost floor is only accessible on the day of Nag Panchami.
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Centre of Earth: According to Varaha Purana, the Mahakal Temple is located at the Nabhi (Centre point of earth).
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Guardian of Ujjain: Lord Mahakal, the deity of the Mahakaleshwar Temple, is considered the protector of the city.
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Saptapuri: Mahakaleshwar Temple's presence makes Ujjain one of the Saptapuris (& cities), a group of cities which are considered the centre of moksa.
