Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Location in Madhya Pradesh
Coordinates:	23°10′58″N 75°46′6″E / 23.18278°N 75.76833°E / 23.18278; 75.76833Coordinates: 23°10′58″N 75°46′6″E / 23.18278°N 75.76833°E / 23.18278; 75.76833
Name
Proper name:	Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling
Location
Country:	India
State:	Madhya Pradesh
Location:	Ujjain
Architecture and culture
Primary deity:	Mahakaleshwar (Shiva)

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga (Hindi: महाकालेश्वर ज्योतिर्लिंग) 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. The presiding deity, Shiva in the lingam form is believed to be Swayambhu, deriving currents of power (Shakti) from within itself as against the other images and lingams that are ritually established and invested with mantra-shakti.

Mahakaleshwar Jyothirlinga Temple

The Temple

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 idol of Nagchandreshwar on the third storey is open for darshan only on the day of Nag Panchami. The temple has five levels, one of which is underground. The temple itself is located in a spacious courtyard surrounded by massive walls near a lake. The shikhar or the spire is adorned with sculptural finery. Brass lamps light the way to the underground sanctum. It is believed that prasada (holy offering) offered here to the deity can be re-offered unlike all other shrines.^[1]

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga

The presiding deity of time, Shiva, in all his splendor, reigns eternally in the city of Ujjain. The temple of Mahakaleshwar, its shikhar soaring into the sky, an imposing façade against the skyline, evokes primordial awe and reverence with its majesty. The Mahakal dominates the life of the city and its people, even in the midst of the busy routine of modern preoccupations, and provides an unbreakable link with ancient Hindu traditions. On the day of Maha Shivaratri, a huge fair is held near the temple, and worship goes on through the night.^[2]

Mythology

According to the Puranas, the city of Ujjain was called Avantika and was famous for its beauty and its devotional epicenter. It was also one of the primary cities where students went to study holy scriptures. According to legend, there was a ruler of Ujjain called Chandrasen, who was a pious devotee of Lord Shiva and worshipped him all the time. One day, a farmer's boy named Shrikhar was walking on the grounds of the palace and heard the King chant the Lord's name and rushed to the temple to start praying with him. However, the guards removed him by force and sent him to the outskirts of the city near the river Kshipra. Rivals of Ujjain, primarily King Ripudaman and Kind Singhaditya of the neighboring kingdoms decided to attack the Kingdom and take over its treasures around this time. Hearing this, Shrikhar started to pray and the news spread to a priest named Vridhi. He was shocked to hear this and upon the urgent pleas of his sons, he started to pray to Lord Shiva inside the river Kshipra. The Kings chose to attack and were successful; with the help of the powerful demon Dushan, who was blessed by Lord Brahma to be invisible, they plundered the city and attacked all the devotees of Lord Shiva.

Upon hearing the pleas of His helpless devotees, Lord Shiva appeared in his Mahakal form and destroyed the enemies of King Chandrasen. Upon the request of his devotees Shrikhar and Vridhi, Lord Shiva agreed to reside in the city and become the chief deity of the Kingdom and take care of it against its enemies and to protect all His devotees. From that day on, Lord Shiva resided in His light form as Mahakal in a Lingam that was formed on its own from the powers of the Lord and His consort, Parvati. The Lord also blessed his devotees and declared that people who worshipped Him in this form would be free from the fear of death and diseases. Also, they would be granted worldly treasures and be under the protection of the Lord himself.^[3]

History

The temple complex was destroyed by Sultan Iltutmish during his raid of Ujjain in 1234-5.^[4][5][6]The present structure was built by the Srimant Raanojirao Shinde Maharaj Scindias in 1736 AD. Later on , further developments and management was done by Following Rulers : 1. Shreenath Mahadji Shinde Maharaj also known as Madhavrao The First(14.01.1761 - 13.Feb.1794)

2. Srimant Maharani Bayzabai Raje Shinde (1827–1863)

In the regime of Maharaja Shrimant Jayaajirao Saheb Shinde Alijah Bahadur till 1886 various major programs of the then Gwalior Riyasat used to be held at this Mandir. After Independence the Dev Sthan Trust was replaced by Municipal corporation of Ujjain. Now a days it is under the collectorate. .^[7][8][9]

Transport

The temple is located in the heart of Ujjain, at a distance of two kilometers from the Ujjain railway station and bus stand. It is accessible by state-operated tempos (fare Rs. 5/- per head from railway station or bus stand to temple. The service of Tempos is after every five minutes), auto-rickshaws or private taxis.

See also

Ancient monuments in Ujjain

Notes

1. ^ Mahakaleshwar temple web-page
2. ^ "Ujjain temple". http://www.indiatravelogue.com/dest/mp/ujjain.html. 
3. ^ Page 67, South Indian Hindu festivals and traditions, By Maithily Jagannathan, Published 2005, Abhinav Publications, ISBN 8170174155
4. ^ Abram, David. Rough guide to India. p. 447. http://books.google.co.in/books?id=kAMik_6LbwUC&pg=PA447&dq=mahakaleshwar+iltutmish&hl=en&ei=lCu8TeeMHsTprAeRg738BQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=mahakaleshwar%20iltutmish&f=false. 
5. ^ Reddy, Krishna (2007,2003,1999). Indian History for Civil Services. Tata McGraw-Hill. p. B119. http://books.google.co.in/books?id=CeEmpfmbxKEC&pg=SL2-PA119&dq=mahakal+iltutmish&hl=en&ei=li-8TZXlD8eJrAef8Lj2BQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&sqi=2&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=mahakal%20iltutmish&f=false. 
6. ^ Mahajan, Vidya Dhar (1965). Muslim rule in India. S Chand & Co.. p. 80. http://books.google.co.in/books?id=sLo9AAAAMAAJ&q=mahakal+iltutmish&dq=mahakal+iltutmish&hl=en&ei=li-8TZXlD8eJrAef8Lj2BQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&sqi=2&ved=0CEEQ6AEwAw. 
7. ^ Abram, David. Rough guide to India. p. 447. http://books.google.co.in/books?id=kAMik_6LbwUC&pg=PA447&dq=mahakaleshwar+iltutmish&hl=en&ei=lCu8TeeMHsTprAeRg738BQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=mahakaleshwar%20iltutmish&f=false. 
8. ^ Reddy, Krishna (2007,2003,1999). Indian History for Civil Services. Tata McGraw-Hill. p. B119. http://books.google.co.in/books?id=CeEmpfmbxKEC&pg=SL2-PA119&dq=mahakal+iltutmish&hl=en&ei=li-8TZXlD8eJrAef8Lj2BQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&sqi=2&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=mahakal%20iltutmish&f=false. 
9. ^ Mahajan, Vidya Dhar (1965). Muslim rule in India. S Chand & Co.. p. 80. http://books.google.co.in/books?id=sLo9AAAAMAAJ&q=mahakal+iltutmish&dq=mahakal+iltutmish&hl=en&ei=li-8TZXlD8eJrAef8Lj2BQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&sqi=2&ved=0CEEQ6AEwAw. 

References

• Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend, ISBN 0-500-51088-1, by Anna Dhallapiccola

External links

• Official site of Ujjain city
• Government site with visitor information
• Story of Mahakal protecting the world from Andhakasura
• Read useful details about Sri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga
• Virtual Lord Shiva Darshan and pilgrimage with videos and images
• Mahakal Jyotirling - Google Earth Community