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Mahakaleshwar Temple is one of the 12 jyotirlingas in India. It is situated in the holy city of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh where the Kumbh mela is also held in every 12 years. It’s the only south-facing idol located near the holy river Kshipra and it’s the most sacred place for Shiv bhakts.
Visits
On an average day, more than 10,000 people visits and on Shivratri and Nagpanchami more than 5 to 10 lakh pilgrims visits the temple. Moreover, the Nagchandreshwar god is also there on the third floor of the temple which opens once in the whole year on Nag Panchami.
Aarti & Timings
Temple opens and closes from 4:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Naivedya Aarti: 7:30 – 8:15AM (In summer, 7:00 – 7:45AM)
Sandhya Aarti: 6:30 – 7:00 PM (In Summer, 7:-00 – 7:30 PM)
Shayan Aarti 10:30 PM
Bhasma Aarti
There is one unique Aarti called Bhasma Aarti that also happens in Mahakal between 4 AM to 6 AM in the morning and many pilgrims come from all over India. Bhasma Aarti is a special kind of aarti that is performed during the Brahma Muhurat (about two hours before sunrise) in Ujjain. The priests offer holy ash (Bhasma) to the deity while chanting sacred mantras. The aarti generates vibrations that make devotees feel the presence of the divine in front of them.
Dress Code for Bhasma Aarti: Men must wear Dhoti or Sola and not wear a shirt and vest. Female devotees to wear Saree.
History
Once upon a time, 4 sons of the god Brahma became very arrogant in their knowledge, they thought only they know the supreme truth. In that arrogance, they challenged Mahadev to a debate and Mahadev offered them a place to sit before starting the debate. They all sat facing the east, while Mahadev sat facing south.
Facing towards the south is considered as bad because it brings bad luck to life. So sons of the god Brahma said to Mahadev, “you don’t know even the simple rule that one should not sit facing south”
Mahadev smiled and replied, “ all the misfortune turns into fortune by taking my name, I am beyond good and bad, you shouldn’t be worried about me”
Shivling of Mahakaleshwar is known as Mahakal, which means lord of time and death. And since the south direction represents death, shivling in Mahakaleshwar temple faces towards the direction of death indicates that he is the slayer of death itself and giver of eternal liberation, and his devotees shouldn’t be afraid of death.
Mahakal Lok
Recently, another area of Mahakal temple that is Mahakal Lok also been built in a mega corridor of 920 square meters in an area situated near Rudrasagar Lake. It is inaugurated by Prime Minister – Narendra Modi.
Mahakal Corridor
Previously it was spread over only two hectares, but now the entire complex spreads over 20 hectares. There are 108 pillars built in the corridor & more than 100 statues are built in the corridor of different Gods. A sum of Rs. 856 crores has been spent on developing the first phase of the Mahakal Lok Temple Corridor, meanwhile, the second phase is yet to be developed under Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s government. It becomes a tourist spot for all the people of India.
Best Hotel near Temple
- Hotel Maheshwari Avenue
- Hotel Govindam
- Hotel Shakuntala Palace
- Hotel Sunshine Palace
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