An ancient city situated on the eastern bank of the Shipra River, Ujjain was the most prominent city on the Malwa plateau of central India for much of its history. It is the fifth-largest city in Madhya Pradesh by population. It is one of the Hindu pilgrimage centres of Sapta Puri famous for the Kumbh Mela held there every 12 years. Ujjain is considered to be an important place of pilgrimage. It is home to many famous temples such as Kal Bhairav temple, Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Mangalnath Temple and Sandipani Ashram. The famous of all temples is Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga which is located in the center of the city. "Colors fade, temples crumble, empires fall, but wise words endure." - Edward Thorndik A glance at history of Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, shrines which are said to be the most sacred abodes of Shiva. The idol of Mahakaleshwar is known to be dakshinamukhi, which means that it is facing the south. This is a unique feature, upheld by the tantric shivnetra tradition to be found only in Mahakaleshwar among the 12 Jyotirlingas.The temple is situated on the side of the holy river Shipra. People come here in huge numbers during Navaratri and Mahashivratri to seek blessings of the Lord for a peaceful and prosperous life. In Ujjain there lived King Chandresena, who was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. When he was worshiping the Lord, a farmer’s son by name Shikara heard him when walking on the palace grounds. He rushed to where the king was in the palace temple and started praying with him, however the guards forcibly removed him from the place. He was then sent to the city outskirts where he heard the plot of King Chandresena rivals - King Ripudamana and King Singhaditya wanting to attack his kingdom and take over its treasures. Shikara prayed to Lord Shiva and this news went to the local priest Vridhi. He also started to pray to Lord Shiva, but at this time the King Ripudamana and King Singhaditya had already started their attack and they were successful. When Lord Shivs’s devotees were attacked, the Lord could not tolerate it and appeared in his Mahakala form to destroy the enemies of King Chandrasena. On request from devotees Shrikhar and Vridhi, Lord Shiva decided to reside in the city and protect it against its enemies. After that the city became the place where he resided in the form of a column of light. Lord Shiva blessed his devotees and also stated that whoever worshiped him in this temple would be free of diseases and death, will gain peace and prosperity under his immense protection.
Ash Ritual in Mahakaleshwar temple The bhasm aarti is the first ritual conducted everyday at the temple.The bhasm aarti begins at 4 a.m. It's performed to wake the god (Lord Shiva) up, do shringar (anoint and dress him for the day), and carry out the first offering of fire to him (by circulating lamps, incense, and other items).The unique thing about this aarti is the inclusion of bhasm, which is ash from funeral pyres, as one of the offerings.
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