|
Mahakal Temple
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. The temple has five levels one of which is undergound.
The temple itself is located in a spacious courtyard surrounded by massive
walls near a lake. The shikhara or the spire is adorned with sculptural
finery. Brass lamps light the way to the underground sanctum. It is believed
that prasada (holy offering) offered here to the deity can be re-offered
unlike all other shrines. |
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 |