Package Overview

Shri Mahakaleshwar of Ujjayini is known among the twelve celebrated
Jyotirlingas in India. The glory of Mahakaleshwar temple has been vividly
described in various Purans. Starting with Kalidasa, many sanskrit poets have
eulogized this temple in emotive terms. Ujjain used to be the central point for
calculation of Indian time and Mahakala was considered as the distinctive
presiding deity of Ujjain.The presiding deity of time, Shiva, in all his splendor,
reigns eternal in Ujjain. The temple of Mahakaleshwar, its shikhara soaring into
the skies, 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 past traditions. 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. The idol of Nagchandreshwar on the third storey
is open for darshan only on the day of Nagpanchami.On the day of
Mahashivaratri, a huge fair is held near the temple, and worship goes on through
the night.