Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple: Timings, History & Travel Guide

‘Kaalo ke kaal Mahakaal’, you have always heard it. Do you know who he is? The only supreme deity is Lord Shiva.

Yes, many know Lord Shiva as Mahakaal, and a temple dedicated to him stands in the small city of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.

The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas honouring Lord Shiva.

The lingam of the Mahakaleshwar temple is one of the largest among all other jyotirlingas.

To adorn the walls and pillars of the temple, there are images of many gods, goddesses, Apsaras, and Kichakas.

The article is your informative resource to plan a divine trip to seek the darshan of the King of Ujjain, Mahakal.

We will provide the information on darshan timings, booking procedures, deep spiritual significance, and travel logistics.

People who are looking for a truly immersive and hassle-free spiritual journey go through the expert guide.

It can transform your experience, enabling you to focus completely on the divine.

What are the Interesting Facts of the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

Darshan Timing of Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain

The temple of lord Mahakaal in Ujjain opens at 4 AM and closes at 11 PM. It also performs multiple rituals during the day.

The followers can be a part of these rituals, like morning, afternoon, and evening aarti.

Likewise, there is no afternoon break in between, unlike other temples, which remain closed during lunch or in the afternoon.

The temple timings are as follows:

Overview of Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple in Ujjain is a testament of devotion, a beacon of the eternal presence of lord shiva.

This is not just a structure but a vibrant spiritual entity pounding with divine energy. The word Mahakaal is made of two words, Maha and Kaal.

In the Sanskrit term, Maha means ‘great’, and Kaal means ‘Time and Death’. It is considered that lord shiva is the deity of death and time.

Due to this, he is known as Mahakaleshwar, and the temple is renowned as the Mahakal temple.

Mahakaleshwar temple is located on the holy bank of the Shipra River, attracting millions of devotees every year, especially during the Simhastha kumbha mela.

During the month, followers take a holy bath in the Shipra River and invoke blessings.

The temple is designed in an exquisite blend of traditional and modern styles. It has the main deity lord shiva in ‘Swyambhu’ form, which depicts his supreme power.

The temple is popular not only for its religious significance but also for its unique rituals, like Bhasma aarti.

The ritual is performed every morning with the ashes from cremation grounds and is considered to cleanse the soul.

History of Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain

According to the history of the Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain, Lord Brahma himself set up the first temple at the site.

The coins found at Ujjain have the sign of lord shiva on them. As per multiple scriptures, in the Paramara period, an invader ruined the temple.

Later, the governor of the Malwa region, Udayaditya and Naravarman, redesigned the temple.

As per the ancient scripture, the king of Sthalapuranam, King Chandrasena, was a true devotee of lord shiva.

A young boy, Shrikhar, once heard his prayers to the deity and wanted to join him. Yet, people did not allow him to do this and sent him out of the city.

But Shrikhar heard the plans of rival kings Ripudhamana and Singhaditya to destroy the city with the help of the demon Dushan.

The followers also believe that when the demon started attacking the city, the group divided near the statue of Goddess Parvati, and lord shiva came out of it as Mahakaal. He burnt the demon with just one grunt.

Following the request of the Avantika people, the lord then decided to stay there as the chief deity of the city.

The demon had a blessing of invisibility from Brahma. Hence, Shrikhar and Pandit named Vriddhi to pray to lord for help.

The enemies then arrived at the city of Avantika (currently known as Ujjain) and began torturing the people.

They banned every Vedic activity in the city. The people started offering to lord shiva for help.

The Legends of Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga

As per Hindu beliefs, the Mahakal lingam in the temple manifests itself, emanating energies of Shakti from within; because of this, devotees call Mahakaleshwar ‘Swayambhu.

The lingam in the temple is also popular as Dakshina Mukhi, which means facing the south direction.

As per legend from the Shiva Purana, lord shiva plugged the world in the form of an unlimited pillar of light known as Jyotirlinga, and places where Shiva incarnated as a fiery column of light are termed as Jyotirlinga shrines.

The Puranas describe the Mahakal temple as one of the 12 Jyotirlinga in the country where lord shiva exists in the form of Jyotirlinga. Though honoring the lord here is believed to get rid of all sins.

Types of Sevas and Pujas Performed in Mahakaleshwar Temple

One of the primary rituals that is performed in the temple is the Maharudrabhishek. There are other sevas and pujas performed in the temple:

1. Bhasma Aarti

To experience the divine energy of Bhasma aarti, thousands of devotees visit the temple. This is one of the unique rituals of the temple.

Pandit applies Bhasma to shiva linga every day at 4 AM. Only followers with a VIP pass can enter the sanctum or the Garbhagriha for aarti. Women are not allowed to see the Bhasma decoration during Arti.

2. Maharudrabhishek

During the abhishek, priests chant the Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda, and Atharva Veda in front of the deities of the Mahakaleshwar temple.

3. Laghurudrabhishek

Devotees perform the ritual to resolve problems regarding health and wealth. This ceremony eliminates the harmful impacts of planets in the horoscope.

4. Mahamrityunjaya Jaap

The Mahamrityunjaya jaap increases longevity and immortality of the devotee. This is renowned as the Rudra mantra and has unbelievable impacts on the lives of people who act it.

Reciting the mantra supports relieving one from the cycle of death and rebirth. Therefore, the mantra is also called the Moksha mantra.

Architecture of Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain

The temple of lord mahakal is a three-storied structure. The lingam is honoured on the first floor, which is actually under the ground level.

On the second level, the Omkareshwar lingam is honoured. The Nagachaneshwara linga is on the third level, and this is public only on Naag panchami.

Architects designed the temple during the 4th or 5th decades of the eighteenth century A.D. This structure combines the Bhumija, Maratha, and Chalukya patterns of architecture.

Also, there are three other temples in the sanctum that consist of the temple of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Parvati, and Naagacheshwar.

Which Festivals are Celebrated in the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

The list of festivals celebrated in the Mahakaleshwar temple, ujjain are:

Bhasma Aarti at Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga

We all know one thing for which the Mahakaal temple is famous all over the world – Bhasma arti.

This is performed every morning at the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga. It begins around 4 AM to wake up lord shiva.

Tradition holds that in the past, priests performed the Bhasm Aarti with funeral ashes; however, the tradition has changed, and priests now make the ash from natural herbs or cow dung.

If you want to know more details about Bhasma arti at Mahakal temple, like its rules and online booking guide,

visit the official website of the temple: https://www.shrimahakaleshwar.mp.gov.in/

You can get the booking of Bhasma aarti, which is also available at the counter.

Offline Bhasm Aarti Booking (Counter Information)

We highly recommend online booking, though you can purchase a limited number of tickets at the temple’s Bhasm Aarti counter, often located near the main entrance.

Yet, these are in high demand, and queuing up in the early morning does not guarantee availability. Depending on offline booking might be risky.

Important Rules and Regulations for Bhasm Aarti Participation

• Reporting time: Devotees have to arrive at least 1.5 to 2 hours before the aarti begins. Gates will be closed immediately.
• Original ID proof: Bring your original ID proof, which you used for booking. You are not allowed to enter without it.
• No bags or electronic devices: Large bags, mobile phones, cameras, and other electronic items are highly prohibited inside the premises. Lockers are accessible near the entrance.
• Silence and reverence: Follow strict rules and keep silence during the aarti.

Dress Code for Bhasm Aarti

Every pilgrim has to follow a strict dress code for Bhasm arti:

• Men: Wear a traditional dhoti. Usually performs darshan without a shirt, but can wear a stole or shawl.
• Women: Wear a saree or other ethnic dress that completely covers the body.
• No western dress: Jeans, t-shirt, shorts, and other western attire are not acceptable. If you arrive in such clothes, you are not allowed to enter.

Best Time to Visit Ujjain for Mahakal Darshan

The suitable time for devotees to seek the blessings of Mahakaal is between October and March.

The weather during the time is pleasant, making sightseeing and darshan more convenient.

Summers from April to June might be extremely hot, as the monsoon season (July to September) brings heavy rainfall, which may ruin your travel plans.

This time, lush greenery during the monsoon has its own beauty. The Shravan month is highly sacred to seek lord shiva blessings, tending to huge crowds.

Travel Guide to Reach Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

The land of Mahakaal, ujjain is well-linked by multiple modes of transportation. There are multiple ways to reach the temple in Ujjain:

• By air: The closest airport to Ujjain is Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport in Indore, which is around 55 kms away. You can book a taxi or use other modes of transportation from the airport to reach Ujjain.
• By train: Ujjain Junction is the main railway station, and it is well-connected by multiple trains from different states. You can check the train schedules and book tickets to Ujjain.
• By road: The Ujjain city is well-linked by road with major cities in Madhya Pradesh and neighboring states. You can take buses, private taxis, or your own vehicle to reach Ujjain. The city is well-connected with state and national highways.

Nearby Places to Visit in Ujjain

The good thing about visiting the temple? You can visit many amazing temples on the same day:

Harsiddhi Mata Temple

This temple is only a few minutes away from Mahakaleshwar. It is peaceful and powerful.

The main thing about this temple is its tall deepams that glow in the evening. People light diyas with devotion. Hence, a perfect place to visit after darshan.

Ram Ghat

This is located beside the Shipra River, where people come to take sacred dips. During sunset, this place looks magical.

Its vibe is spiritual. Evening aarti is the highlight of this place, which is calm, mainly when it matches the Ujjain temple timings.

Kal Bhairav Temple

This is one of the unique places to visit in Ujjain. In this temple, alcohol is offered to lord Bhairav.

The pandit poured it into the mouth of the idol. It sounds odd, but this is a respected tradition; the temple is always busy with locals.

Ved Shala (Ujjain Observatory)

It is one of India’s ancient science centers, where astronomers used many tools to research the sun, moon, and stars.

You’ll be surprised by the advancement of ancient Indian knowledge. A cool place if you want to learn about space.

Sandipani Ashrama

Need a calm break? Visit Sandipani Ashram. As said, this is the place where lord krishna and Sudama studied.

It has greenery all around the place. You can sit here and relax away from the temple crowd and traffic.

Conclusion

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple is not only a place, but a spiritual journey. If you are in search of blessings or spiritual power, the temple touches every heart.

From its magical live darshan of Mahakaal to the peaceful river ghats, Ujjain has it all. Schedule your trip smartly.

Know the temple timings, get Bhasmi aarti VIP tickets, and keep your trip sorted. With 99Pandit, if you want to perform any puja or ritual in the Mahakaleshwar temple, our experts can guide you.

100% FREE CALL TO DECIDE DATE(MUHURAT)

Book a Pandit

Book a Pandit