Shri Mahakal or Mahakaleshwar Temple is located in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Mahakaleshwar Temple is one of the most famous and ancient lord Shiva temple and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The presiding deity is Lord Shiva and is situated on the side of the holy river KShipra/Shipra. The Shiva lingam is believed to be Swayambhu, deriving currents of power (Shakti) from within itself as against the other images and lingams that are ritually established and invested with mantra-shakti.

The Mahakaleshwar idol is known as Dakshinamukhi, which means that the lingam faces south. This is a unique feature, confirmed by the Tantric shivnetra tradition that can only be found in Ujjain Mahakal temple between the 12 Jyotirlingas.

Mahakaleshwar Temple is located near a lake and has a spacious courtyard surrounded by massive walls. The temple has five levels, one of that is underground. Brass lamps light the way to the underground sanctum or Garbha Griha where the Jyotirlinga is situated. The Linga is quite big in size and is encircled by a snake of silver. On one side of the Linga there is the idol of Lord Ganesha while on the other side, idols of Goddess Parvati and Kartikeya are installed. The shikhara of temple is adorned with sculptural finery.

Legend Behind Ujjain Mahakali Temple:

According to an episode told in Puranas, a five-year-old boy named Shrikar was thrilled to see the devotion of King Chandrasena of Ujjain to Lord Shiva. Shrikar took a stone and considered it as a linga, he began to worship it regularly. Others believed that his cult was just a game and tried to dissuade him in any way. But all efforts were in vain. On the contrary, Shrikar’s devotion increased with each passing day. Pleased with the boy’s devotion, Lord Shiva took the form of Jyotirlinga and resided in the Mahakal Forest.

Ujjain Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple Timings:

From Chaitra to Ashwin:

Bhasmarti Early Morning: 4:00 AM.
Morning Pooja: 7:00 AM to 7:30 AM
Mid-day Pooja: 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Evening Pooja: 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Aarti Shree Mahakal: 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Closing Time: 11:00 PM

From Kartik to Falgun:

Bhasmarti Early Morning: 4:00
Morning Pooja: 7:30 AM to 8:00 AM
Mid-day Pooja: 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Evening Pooja: 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Aarti Shree Mahakal: 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Closing Time: 11:00 PM

Pujas in Ujjain Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple:

* General Puja
* Shiv Mahimn Path
* Rudrabhishesk Vaidik Puja
* Shiv Mahimn Strot
* Rudrabhishek (11 Avartan) Rudra Patha
* Laghu Rudraabhishek (121 Paath) by 11 Brhamin
* Maha Rudraabhishek
* Mahamrutyunjay Jaap (1.25 Lakh jaap)
* Bhanga Shringar

Places to visit Near Ujjain Shri Temple:

1) Mahakaleshwar
2) Kaalbhairav
3) Harasiddhi
4) Vedshala
5) Sandipani Asrama
6) Chintamani Ganesh
7) Triveni Navagraha
8) Mangalnath
9) Siddhavath
10) Gopal Mandir

How to Reach Ujjain Shiva Temple:

By Air:
Nearest airport is Indore Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport is an international airport which is  57.3 km from Ujjain Mahakal Temple.

By Train:
Ujjain is directly connected by different railway line to Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Mumbai, Fouzabad, Lucknow, Dehradun, Delhi, Banaras, Kochin, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Howrah and many more.

By Road :
Ujjain is directly connected by road to Indore, Surat, Gwaliar, Pune, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Udaypur, Nasik, Mathura.

Ujjain Sri Mahakaleshwar Temple Address:

Jaisinghpura,
Ujjain,
Madhya Pradesh – 456006.
Office: 0734-2550563
Dharmshala: 0734-2551714, 0734-2585873
IT: 0734-2551295