Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain
Mahakaleshwar
Jyotirlinga 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.
One of
the 12 Jyotirlingas in India, the lingam at the Mahakal 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.
The
idol of Mahakaleshwar is known to be dakshinamurti, facing the South. This is a
unique feature, upheld by tantric tradition to be found only in Mahakaleshwar
among the 12 jyotirlingas. The idol of Omkareshwar Shiva 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.
LEGEND :`
According
to the a five year old boy named Shrikar was enthralled seeing the devotion of
king Chandrasena of Ujjain towards Lord Shiva. He took a stone and by
considering it a linga started worshipping it regularly. Others thought that
his worship as merely a game and tried to dissuade in all ways. But all the
efforts went in vain. On the contrary the devotion of Shrikar increased day by
day. Pleased by the boy’s devotion Lord Shiva assumed Jyotirlinga form and
resided in the Mahakal forest.
Another
Legend has it that a demon by name Dushana tormented the residents of Avanti
and that Shiva appeared from the ground and vanquished the demon, and then upon
the request of the inhabitants of Avanti, took up permanent abode here as
Mahakaleshwara Jyotirlinga. Also in Ujjain is the temple to Parvati -
Harasiddhi Devi temple.
ABOUT
TEMPLE IN BRIEF :
The
temple is a three tiered one, with Mahakal at the lowest level, which is
actually below the ground. At the middle (ground) level is a temple to
Omkareshwar, and over it is a shrine to Nagachandreshwara. This is an interesting
shrine which is opened only on Nagapanchami day every year.
Temple
Timings:-
The
main temple opens at 3:30 am .The Bhasma Arti is performed between 4:00 am and
6:00 am. Between 7:30 am to 8:15 am the Naivadya Arti is performed. Between
10:30 am to 11:15 am,the Mahabhog Arti is performed. In the evening, the
Sandhya Arti is organised at 6:30 pm to 7:15 pm and Shayan Arti at 10:30 pm.
The temple closes at 11:00 pm.
Mahakal
and Bhasma Arti:-
To
attend Bhasma Arti in Mahakaleshwar is desire for every Hindu devotee. Mahakal
and Bhasma Arti are synonymous with each other. Bhasma means ash. Mahakaleshwar
is the only Jyotirlinga temple,where the Bhasma Arti is performed. Amidst vedic
chants and strotras and sounds of cymbals, conchs and damru, the Bhasma arti is
performed every morning (Except the second day of Mahashivaratri) from 4:00 am
to 6:00 am to the Lord Mahakaleshwar. The Bhasma is prepared by burning dried
cow dung. The mahant of the Akhil Bhratiya Mahanirvani Akhada or his
representative offers the Bhasma.
The Bhasma Arti has its own protocols. During Bhasma Arti, no one can enter in the garbhagriha for worship wearing regular clothes. Only males wearing sola or silk clothe on their loins are allowed to enter into garbhagriha.At the time of Bhasma Arti,women are not allowed to enter inside. The devotees enjoy watching the great puja sitting in Sabhagruha just outside the garbhagriha. On next day of Mahashivaratri, the Bhasma Arti is held in afternoon after removal of the Lord's Sehra (bridegroom’s floral crown).This happens only once a year.
The Bhasma Arti has its own protocols. During Bhasma Arti, no one can enter in the garbhagriha for worship wearing regular clothes. Only males wearing sola or silk clothe on their loins are allowed to enter into garbhagriha.At the time of Bhasma Arti,women are not allowed to enter inside. The devotees enjoy watching the great puja sitting in Sabhagruha just outside the garbhagriha. On next day of Mahashivaratri, the Bhasma Arti is held in afternoon after removal of the Lord's Sehra (bridegroom’s floral crown).This happens only once a year.
FESTIVALS :
The
main festivals of this temple are NITYA YATRA, SAWARI, HARIHARA MILANA
BEST
SEASON TO VISIT :
OCTOBER
TO MARCH
HOW TO
REACH :
BY ROAD
- WELL CONNECTED TO ALL CITIES
BY
TRAIN - NEAREST RAILWAY STATION IS UJJAIN
BY AIR
- NEAREST AIRPORT IS INDORE 53KM
Post a Comment