The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple is an exquisite ancient temple of Hindu lord Shiva located in the city of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the 12 jyotirlingas but the most unique one as it is said to be self-manifested or “Swayambhu”. Swayambhu here refers to the fact that shivlinga or jyotirlinga emits its own divine energy in lieu of being ensconced by any human hands.
History Of The Mahakaleshwar Temple
- Ancient Origin with mythological significance: The origins of the Mahakaleshwar temple are not very specific but are mentioned in Shiva Purana and Skanda Purana. According to ancient texts, a demon called Dashana created havoc in the lives of people in the city of Ujjain, which disturbed the spiritual practices. To combat the demon lord Shiva descended in the form of Mahakal and protected his devotees. Lord Shiva was so mesmerized by the spirituality of the people of Ujjain that he decided to stay as Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain which was a blessing for the people and the land.
- Gupta and Paramara Period: the temple flourished during the Gupta period (4th – 6th century CE) and later under the Paramara dynasty the temple was expanded to new heights making it a marvel of architecture and cultural amalgamations.
- Destruction and Demolition: The temple walls are witness to attacks and destruction in the 13th century by the third ruler of the Slave dynasty, Iltutmish. It is said that the sacred jyotirlinga was dismantled and thrown into the Kotiteerth Kund (a neighboring pond of the temple). In the 18th century, the temple was revived into full glory by the Maratha General Ranoji Shinde. That’s why we see Maratha-style architecture. After 1947, the collectorate office of Ujjain replaced DevaSthan Trust as the temple administrator.
- Spiritual Importance: It is considered the prime divine sacred Shiv temple as it resides in the Swayambhu Jyotirlinga, meaning the Shivlinga is self-established. Due to this unique characteristic Mahakaleshwar temple attracts millions of pilgrims every year making it one of the most visited temples of India.
The Bhasma Aarti
- The Bhasma aarti at the Mahakaleshwar temple is an extraordinary experience that brings the divine interconnect more pronounced among the devotees. Witnessing the Bhasma aarti is a lifetime spiritual experience. It is performed every day in the early morning hours at 4 AM to 6 AM. The temple opens at 3.30 AM in the morning.
- The aarti commences with “Abhishek” (sacred bath of the shiva lingam) followed by offerings of milk, honey, curd, etc. After that Shivlingam is emblazoned with rose petals and bel leaves. But the most astonishing part of the aarti is the Bhasma application to the Shiva lingam. Bhasma is referred to as the ash in Hindu mythology and its application depicts the transient nature of life and also the spiritual nature of life.
- Devotees need to book their respective slots (online registration, almost a month before, on the official website of the temple) and need to reach the temple an hour before the timings in order to avoid the chaos and a large number of people gathered for the pious ritual.
- There is a specific dress code for the Bhasma aarti at the Mahakaleshwar temple which is a saree for women offering prayers in the temple sanctum and men need to wear a dhoti kurta.
The Mahakal Aarti
The Mahakal aarti is performed with much elan and is one of the most flamboyant surreal visuals for any devotee attending the prayer in the Mahakaleshwar temple.
The Mahakal aarti is performed
- From Chaitra to Ashwin (March to October):
7:00 PM to 7.30 PM - From Kartik to Fagun (November to February)
7.30 PM to 8.00 PM
There are various types of aarti which are performed throughout the day like Dadoyak aarti, Bhog aarti, Sandhya pooja, and Shayan aarti. Each aarti has a specific time and importance.
Unique Features Of The Mahakaleshwar Temple
- The Only South Facing Jyotirlinga: unlike any other jyotirlinga this one faces the south which is the direction of death and liberation as per Hindu mythology.
- Three-Tier structure: the temple comprises three shrines – Mahakaleshwar (bottom), Omkareshwar (middle), and Nagachandeshwar (top, open only on Nag Panchami).
Significance Of The Mahakal
- Spiritual Importance: Mahakal represents the destructive and transformative shiva, which depicts the cycle of time and karma.
- Cultural Importance: Ujjain is one of the Sapta Puris (seven sacred cities) of Hinduism and the site of the Kumbh Mela (which occurs every 12 years).
Also Read:
- 5 Famous Lord Shiva Names And Their Meanings!
- 7 Teachings of Lord Shiva You Can Use in Your Life to Stay Calm!
Offering prayers at this magnanimous divine place is a life-altering experience for many people and a true emblem of spirituality for Hindu devotees. So, one must try to visit this magical place once in their lifetime.