Mahakeleshwara Temple

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Mahakeleshwara Temple Ujjain has a plethora of temples that are spread all over the town. Edit

Detail InformationEdit

The Mahakaleshwar temple at Ujjain, in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh, is an important pilgramage place for Hindus as it’s said to be one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. It derives its name from “kaal” meaning end of life. The word Mahakaal means Lord of Death. Lord Mahakaleshwar is the presiding deity of the city. The Shivling in this temple is supposed to be the only Jyotirlinga which faces south and hence it is known as Dakshinmukhi or the south-facing lingam. The lingam at the Mahakala is believed to be swayambhu (born of itself) deriving currents of power shakti) from within itself as against the other images and lingams which are ritually established and invested with mantra-shakti. It’s also regarded as one of the top 10 Tantra temples of India, and has the only Bhasm-Aarti (ash ritual) of its kind in the world. According to classics, Chitabhasm (human ash) is considered as unholy and inauspicious. 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 Siva is Nishkam or lust-less. He is not touched by material desires. That is why Shiva is Mangalmay or auspicious. On every monday of the month of “Sravan”, the idol is taken out in a procession which is attended by a large number of devotees.

Mahakeleshwara Temple, Ujjain

HistoryEdit

Mahakeleshwara Temple complex was destroyed by Sultan Shas-ud-din Iltutmish during his raid of Ujjain in 1234-5. The present structure was built by the General of Srimant Peshwa Baji Rao and Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj of the Hindu Pad Padshahi—Srimant Raanojirao Shinde Maharaj (Scindia) in 1736 AD. Further developments and management was done by Shreenath Mahadji Shinde Maharaj (Mahadji The Great) also known as Madhavrao Shinde the First (1730–12 February 1794) and Srimant Maharani Bayzabai Raje Shinde (1827–1863). In the regime of Maharaja Shrimant Jayaajirao Saheb Shinde Alijah Bahadur until 1886, major programs of the then Gwalior Riyasat used to be held at this mandir. After Independence the Devsthan Trust was replaced by the Municipal Corporation of Ujjain. Now a days it is under the collectorate.

Must SeeEdit

Must See

Visiting TimeEdit

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Best Season to VisitEdit

September to March.

Best Time To VisitEdit

Morning, Afternoon, Evening.

Time Required for SightseeingEdit

2hrs

Ticket Required : No Edit

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Guide Required : No Edit

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Restaurants NearbyAdd / Edit

How to ReachEdit

Taxi : Taxi services are available from Indore to Ujjain

Bus : Ujjain is well connected by state road transport public bus services. Regular bus services are available from Indore (55 km), Gwalior (450 km), Ahmedabad (400 km) and Bhopal (195 km) to Ujjain. Super fast and Deluxe A/C buses are also available in these routes. Bus fare is about Rs 3 – Rs 4 per km.

Train : Ujjain Junction Railway Station is an important railway station in Western railway zone. It is well connected to all major railway stations in India. Direct train services are available to Bhopal , Indore, Nagpur, Pune, Malwa, Delhi (Nizamuddin Exp), Mumbai (Avantika Exp), Kolkata (Shipra Express), Chennai (Jp Madras Expre) and many other cities.

Air : Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore is the nearest airport to Ujjain, which is situated 55 km away. Indore is air connected to major cities in India by public and private domestic airlines. Indore is connected to places like Jaipur, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Bhopal and Chennai. Taxi services are available from Indore airport to Ujjain, costing about Rs 1,000. International travelers can get connecting flights to Indore from Delhi (800 km) or Mumbai (655 km) airport.

Others : Tangas are horse drawn carriages, and this mode of travel is slower than the above modes but cheaper. Fares will vary from Rs 10 to 30 depending on the distance covered. Auto rickshaws in Ujjain don’t run on meter and you need to negotiate on a fixed rate before opting for travel through auto rickshaws. These auto rickshaws however can be a safe mode of travel during night time. Fares may range anywhere from Rs 15 to 60. There are no night fares.

Things to CarryEdit

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Safety / WarningEdit

Double-check all hotel and restaurant bills for errors.
Don’t leave cash and valuables in your hotel room. Use room safes where available.
Keep daily cash in separate pockets.
Never pay for anything upfront – including drivers.