Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga

Shri Mahakaleshwar of Ujjayini is known among the twelve celebrated Jyotirlingas in India. The glory of Mahakaleshwar temple has been vividly described in various Purans. Starting with Kalidasa, many sanskrit poets have eulogized this temple in emotive terms. Ujjain used to be the central point for calculation of Indian time and Mahakala was considered as the distinctive presiding deity of Ujjain.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.

History of Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga
The mention of this temple in the Puranas, where it is stated that Prajapita Brahma built it, is proof of its ancient existence. The temple is believed to be built in the 6th century AD by Kumarasena, the son of a former king of Ujjain, Chandpradyot. It was further reconstructed in the 12th century AD under King Udayaditya and King Naravarman. Later, the Maratha commander Ranoji Shinde under Peshwa Bajirao-I renovated this temple in the 18th century AD.

How to Reach
Located in Ujjain, the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is quite easy to reach via flights, bus and trains.

Via Flight : Travellers can take a 3-a-half-hour flight to Indore; Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport. It is the closest airport to Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga as the temple is just about 51 km from the airport, which can be covered via bus. Other relatively nearer airports are Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Jaipur and Udaipur; however, these flights are comparatively longer flights, with Udaipur being the longest; 16 and odd hours.
Via Bus : The Jyotirlinga has a well-connected roadway with different cities such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune and Bhopal. It is also the most convenient way to reach Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga. Visitors can also take a 4-hour bus ride from Omkareshwar.
Via Train : Ujjain Junction, Pingleshwar, Vikram Nagar and Chintaman are the closest railway stations to the temple. Omkareshwar also has trains plying to Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga. It would be about 3 hours of a train journey from Omkareshwar to the temple.