Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain – The Temple

Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain – The Temple

The temple of Mahakalesvara is a planned admixture of the Bhumija, Chalukya and Maratha styles of architecture. The sprawling temple is situated on the side of the Rudra Sagara Lake; this is a three storied temple, where is Mahakaleshwar Lingam installed at the beneath part, while Nagachandresvara installed at the uppermost part of the temple. One can only see Nagachandresvara at the festival time of Nag Panchami.

The idol of Mahakaleshwar is known to be Dakshinamurti, 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 Lingam of Mahakalesvara is colossus. The silver-plated Naga Jaladhari and the inscribed and esoteric silver-plate covering the roof of the garbhagriha add extra grandeur to the shrine.

The idol of Omkareshwar Mahadev is consecrated in the sanctum above the Mahakala shrine. The courtyard just opposite to the Omkareswarar temple add much to the magnanimity of the temple-complex. Just adjoining to this temple, there are two pillared projections facing the east and adding a lot to the architecture of the temple. The images of Ganesha, Parvati and Karthikeya are installed in the west, north and east of the sanctum sanctorum. To the south is the image of Nandi, the vehicle of Lord Shiva.

The temple itself is located in a spacious courtyard surrounded by massive walls. The shikhar 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. There are various sculptures have been carved during the Parmar period in the inner and outer walls.

There is a Shrine for Swapaneshwar along with his consort Swapaneshwari in the precincts of the Mahakaleshwar temple. Devotees pray here to realize the most important dreams of their lives. He is so empathetic, benevolent and easy to please that devotees are sure to be granted the boons they wish for with a pure heart in this temple.

A very large-sized Kunda named Koti Tirtha also exists in the temple-complex. The Kunda is built in the sarvatobhadra style. The Kunda and its water both are treated as very celestial. On the path adjoining the stairs of the Kunda, may be seen many images representing the sculptural grandeur of the temple built during the Paramara period.

In the east of the Kunda is a large-sized Veranda in which there is the entrance to the path leading to the garbhagriha. In the northern side of the verandah, in a cell, the images of Sri Rama and goddess Avantika are worshipped. In the southern side of the main shrine, there stand many small Saivite temples built during the Shinde regime among these the temple of Vrddha Mahakalesvara, Anadi Kalpesvara and Saptarshi are prominent and are the remarkable pieces of architecture.