Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple – Ujjain

Dedicated to: Lord Shiva

Significance: One of the twelve Jyotilingas of Lord Shiva

Saivism is one of the dominant faiths in the Indian system of beliefs. Saivite temples constitute a sizable majority of temples in India.

Modern Ujjain lies along the banks of the holy Shipra River. It is built upon the ancient city of the Ujjayini. Ujjayini is one of the four cities of legend sanctified by the drop of Amrit which fell on the spot after the Amrit Manthan, when ambrosia was churned from the ocean depths.

The Soaring Mahakaleshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The mention of the temple has been done in Several Puranas of the Hindu Mythology. The names of Kalidasa and Ujjain are for always linked together. Kalidasa, have sung the praises of the temple. Lord Shiva is also known as the 'Mahakal' and suggesting the eternal existence of the Almighty. The Jyotirlinga is said to be 'Swayambhu' (self-manifested) as it obtained its power from within itself, not like the other 11 lingams that were established ritually by chanting 'mantra'. There is another reason which makes it different from the other temples any where on the Earth is that the prasada offered here to the deity can be re-offered.

The temple is also known as the 'Dakshinamurti', as the image of the lord kept in the temple faces the southern direction. This is the only Jyotirlinga where the idol of the lord faces south. Another form of Lord Shiva, Omkareshwar is places above the shrine at the sanctum. The site is festooned by the images of Lord Ganesh, Parvati and Kartikay, which are placed in the west, north and east direction respectively. In the south, there is an image of Nandi, Lord Shiva’s Cow. The third storey at the sanctum consists of an idol of Nagchandreshwar (another form of Lord Shiva). The “darshan” of Nagchandreshwar are available only on the day of Nagpanchami.

Ujjain along with the Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Benares, Kanchipuram, and Dwarka is considered to be the 7 Mukti Stalas in India. A Kumbha Mela is organized in Ujjain when Jupiter resides in the zodiac sign of Scorpio.

Distance:

54 kms from Indore, 183 kms from Bhopal

Getting There:

There are several trains which connect Ujjain with rest of the nation. Ujjain Junction Railway Station lies on the Western railway zone. The nearest airport serving to the Holy town is Indore. Regular bus services are available from Indore, Gwalior, Ahmedabad and Bhopal to Ujjain.

Best time:

According to the Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is considered as the destroyer of the Universe. 'Mahashivratri' is a major festival that is celebrated here in the temple with full enthusiasm and dedication. On the eve of Mahashivratri, a grand fair is held in the environs of the temple. Through out the night, prayers and worship are offered to the Lord Shiva. To celebrate the festival and pay homage to the lord people flock here from all over the World.

Accommodation in Ujjain:

There are a plenty of accommodation options available at Ujjain. One can chose from the kind of accommodation according to his requirements and budget. During Kumbha Mela, Mahashivratri and Nagpanchami it is advisable to book your rooms in advance. One can also opt to stay at Indore which is about an hour drive from Ujjain.

"Om Namah Shivaya"

Hindus Holiest City - VARANASI

The HINDUS HOLIEST CITY, VARANASI IS PERPETUALLY overflowing with pilgrims. To visit it once in a lifetime is every Hindu’s goal; to die here is to have the greatest chance of moksha (salvation). It is, therefore, not an easy city for a person to visit.

Walk down to the river for a boat ride, either early in the morning or in the late afternoon when the sun’s rays are enjoyable rather than punishing. Give this city some time: zipping in for a dawn boat ride and then out again is rarely satisfying. Varanasi is about watching a nonstop pilgrimage city going about business. A city as old as Babylon, Varanasi is, for Hindus, quite simply Kashi (city of Divine Light). Of the Hindu’s seven Sacred Cities, it is the most sacred. The others are the Haridwar, Ujjain, Mathura, Ayodhya, Dwarka, and Kanchipuram. Each is dedicated to Shiva or Vishnu, except Kanchipuram which is dedicated to both.

Thus, although it is a center for Hindu culture and has fine music and art. From the most humble upward, pilgrims often make their yatras by bus on excursion, singing bhajans along the way.

Varanasi was already thriving 2,500 years ago when Buddha came to Sarnath to deliver his first oration making it sacred to Buddhists, too. Later, Muslims periodically plundered the city: the widowed Shah Jahan Forbade temple- rebuilding, and pious Aurangzeb converted one temple into a mosque. Early British arrivals wrote of being intoxicated by Varanasi’s exoticism and mystery. Winding your way through the maze of narrow, filthy alleys swarming with cows and pilgrims, you feel something of this as you peek into temples of all sizes, some simple, some flashy, like Tulsi Manasmunda, funded by the Birla family. Pilgrims flood in and out of then ceaselessly.

Despite the city’s squalor- for no other word will fit – the holiness of Varanasi has been the inspiration for some of the most sublime creations in Hindu culture. Classical music was nurtured in the temples and today the city produces many of the India’s top musicians and stages important music festivals.

Getting there:

Varanasi is well connected and accessible to major Indian cities and tourist spots. There are daily domestic flights and trains to and fro from Varanasi. Varanasi also has a good network of roads connecting it with the nearby places.

Accommodation:

There are several options ranging from hotels, resorts, lodges, guest houses, dharamshala’s etc.

Best time to Visit:

Any time is the best time to take a holy dip in the sacred water of Ganga River.