It is located by the banks of river Kshipra, in the dense Mahakal forests in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Itis an important Shaivaite pilgrimage centre in North India and is revered as one of the Dwaadash Jyotilinga manifestations of Shiva.
LEGEND BEHIND MAHAAKAL TEMPLE JYOTIRLINGAM
According to an episode narrated in Puranas, a five-year-old boy named Shrikar was enthralled seeing the devotion ofKing Chandrasena of Ujjain towards Lord Shiva. Shrikar took a stone and by considering it a linga started worshippingit regularly. Others thought that his worship as merely a game and tried to dissuade him in all ways. But all the effortswent in vain. On the contrary, devotion of Shrikar increased by every passing day. Pleased by the boy’s devotion LordShiva assumed Jyotirlinga form and resided in the Mahakal forest. According to another popular legend related to Mahakal Temple, a demon by name, Dushana tormented the residentsof Avanti. Shiva appeared from the ground and vanquished the demon.Then, upon the request of the inhabitants ofAvanti, Shiva took up a permanent abode here as Mahakaleshwara Jyotirlinga.
ARCHITECTURE OF MAHAKAL TEMPLE
Bhagwan Mahakaleshwar Temple is located near a lake and has a spacious courtyard surrounded by massive walls.Thetemple has five levels, one of that is underground. Brass lamps light the way to the underground sanctum or GarbhaGriha where the Jyotirlinga is situated.The Linga is quite big in size and is encircled by a snake of silver. On one side ofthe Linga there is the idol of Lord Ganesha while on the other side, idols of Goddess Parvati and Kartikeya are installed. The shikhara of temple is adorned with sculptural finery.
SIGNIFICANCE OF MAHAKALESHWARA TEMPLE
Mahalakesheshwar Temple is consider significant by the Hindus for the following reasons:
1. Mahakaleshwara Temple Jyotirlingam in Ujjain is regarded amongst the seven holy places that can liberate a human.
2. The other six Mukti-Sthal being Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Benares, Kanchipuram and Dwarka.
3. All devotees that come to participate in the famous Kumbh Mela organized year on the banks of the Kshipra Riverconsider it important to seek blessings of Lord Mahakaleshwar.