Situated on the banks of the holy river Shipra in Ujjain, the Mahakaleshwar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is one of the most famous shrines in the country. The presiding deity of this ancient temple is the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, a Swayambhu, meaning a self-originated Linga. It derives strength from itself, and the need to infuse powers by performing the mantra shakti is not necessary.
Temple Architecture:
The gumbaj or the pinnacle of the temple has intricate and beautiful carvings, and it adds to the majestic beauty and enhances its divinity. This ancient monument finds a mention in the Puranas, and it proves that fact that it has been in existence since time immemorial.
The idol of Mahakaleshwar is known to be dakshinamukhi, 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 idol of Omkareshwar Mahadev 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 vehicle of Lord Shiva. The idol of Nagchandreshwar on the third storey is open for darshan only on the day of Nag Panchami. The temple has five levels, one of which is underground. The temple itself is located in a spacious courtyard surrounded by massive walls near a lake. 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.
The presiding deity of time, Shiva, in all his splendor, reigns eternally in the city of Ujjain. The temple of Mahakaleshwar, its shikhar soaring into the sky, 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 ancient Hindu traditions.
The Temple:
This Jyotirlinga is famous for its Bhasma Aarti, meaning aarti with ash. If you visit the Mahakaleshwar and return without witnessing the Bhasma Aarti, then you would be missing out on a visually captivating and spiritually enchanting sight. The aarti is one of the first rituals performed at around 4 AM, to wake up the deity after Jal Abhishek. The Bhasma Aarti, exclusive to the Mahakaleshwar temple, is conducted with Vibhuti, sacred ash. The reason why the aarti is done after smearing Bhasma could be because Mahakaleshwar means the God who controls time, which is beyond man's control. A man is reduced to ash post-death, and hence, it could symbolise the act of bowing in front of the Mahakal, meaning the one who is the God of time.
“Kaal” denotes “time” as well as “space as darkness” and whatever lies beyond it is Mahakal. Since everything in this world occurs in cycles, in relation to time and space, believers throng to seek the blessings of Mahakal, the deity who rules these dimensions. The deity is said to help the departed attain moksha, liberation from the endless cycle of birth and rebirth. The use of ash is symbolic for washing off sins, and connecting with the divine.
While this famous tantric temple is open through the day, its unique daily ritual of bhasm arti (consecration with ash) takes place only in the dead of night. The Lord is first ceremonially “awakened”. The ritual begins with jalabhiseka or bathing of the linga with water, milk, honey, and curd. It is anointed with shringar, a sandal and turmeric paste, and decorated with bael leaves (bilvapatra) and flowers, before finally performing the first arti of the day.
This first aarti of the day includes bhasm (ash). Unlike the sacred ash found in most temples, in the past the Mahakal bhasm arti required chita bhasm or ash from the first funeral pyre cremated at night. Today, the practice has changed and temple authorities prepare fresh ash from cow dung and present it in a thin cloth pouch. The token presence in the sanctum sanctorum, of an ash-smeared aghori sadhu Baba Bam Bam Nath from the cremation ghat, completes the ritual. People watch the chief priest dramatically swing and wave the pouch over the linga, as clouds of ash shower down, covering it in grey dust. This lasts a few minutes, and is followed by an arti with oil lamps, the clanging of bells and cymbals, drumbeats, and the chants of “Om Namah Shivaay”, “Jai Mahakal” and “Har Har Mahadev” resonating through the air. It is a powerful, soul-stirring, and overwhelming experience. Some even claim to see a divine light (jyoti) emanate from the linga, during this arti.
Why we offer the bhasma ?
Maha Yogi Shiva, father of tantra, is usually depicted naked in sadhana, his whole body covered in bhasma. The first verse of the Shiva Panchakshara Stotram gives the following description: Naagendrahaaraaya trilochanaaya, bhasmaangaraagaaya maheshwaraaya. Nityaaya shuddhaaya digambaraaya – ‘Salutations to the mighty three-eyed Shiva, eternal and pure, wearing the king of snakes as his garland, naked and besmeared with sacred ash.’ Some other names given to Lord Shiva are Bhasmashayaaya (abode of bhasma) and Bhasmabhootaaya (covered with bhasma). Covering the body with ash is considered to be an auspicious act for discovering one’s Shiva nature. Shiva is said to be responsible for mahapralaya, the dissolution of the universe at the end of each kalpa. At this time he dances his tandava nritya, the dance of destruction.
Bhasm is made up of (Cow Dung, Shami, Peepal, palash, badh, Amaltash, Ber Tree Woods) burnt together. Matras are chanted in during the formation of Bhasm. This Bhasm is tied in a cloth and filtered and poured on Shiva linga.
Why Shiva smears ash on body?
Once Parvati asked Lord Shiva as to why His divine body is smeared with ashes. What is the reason behind it?Lord Shiva smiled gracefully and narrated a story:
A Brahmin descending from Sage Bhrigu once performed an austere meditation. While doing so, he was not affected by seasonal changes such as scorching summers or stiffening winter nor was he disturbed by monsoons. All he was focused on was his inner strengths to be in meditation. When he felt hungry, he requested animals such deer, lion, bears and jackals to fetch him fruits. These animals unafraid of the Brahma served him relentlessly.The time passed by. He gave up feeding on fruits and only ate leaves which were called parna. Therefore, he was called Parnada.Years passed by. One day, Parnada was busy cutting some grass with a scythe. Suddenly, he got his middle finger sliced off. However, it didn't scare him instead he was amazed to find that no blood oozed out from the wounded portion. But a sap-like liquid, which plants unleash, came out. He wondered for a while and realized it was due to his long subsistence on the leaves he ate during the later years of his meditation. Parnada felt proud of his achievement and began to jump with delight. Having been observing Parnada, Lord Shiva decided to teach him a lesson.He disguised Himself as a Brahman and arrived before Parnada."Why are you so happy?" asked Shiva."Can't you see?" replied Parnada. "My tapasya has been so successful that my blood has become like the sap of plants.""This sort of vanity or self-important attitude destroys the fruits of all penances," said Shiva. "What have you got to be so proud about?" Your blood has only turned into the sap of plants. What happens when you burn plants? They become ashes. I Myself have performed so much penance that My blood has becomes ashes."Shiva sliced off his middle finger and ashes came out of it. Parnada was impressed. He realized that there was nothing that he could be proud about; here was a far greater hermit than he. He asked Shiva who he was. Shiva then displayed his true divine form to Parnada.Ever since that day, there have always been ashes on Shiva's body.
Legend:
According to the Puranas, the city of Ujjain was called Avantika and was famous for its beauty and its status as a devotional epicenter. It was also one of the primary cities where students went to study holy scriptures. According to legend, there was a ruler of Ujjain called Chandrasena, who was a pious devotee of Lord Shiva and worshiped him all the time. One day, a farmer's boy named Shrikhar was walking on the grounds of the palace and heard the King chant the Lord's name and rushed to the temple to start praying with him. However, the guards removed him by force and sent him to the outskirts of the city near the river Kshipra. Rivals of Ujjain, primarily King Ripudamana and King Singhaditya of the neighboring kingdoms decided to attack the Kingdom and take over its treasures around this time. Hearing this, Shrikhar started to pray and the news spread to a priest named Vridhi. He was shocked to hear this and upon the urgent pleas of his sons, started to pray to Lord Shiva at the river Kshipra. The Kings chose to attack and were successful; with the help of the powerful demon Dushan, who was blessed by Lord Brahma to be invisible, they plundered the city and attacked all the devotees of Lord Shiva.
Upon hearing the pleas of His helpless devotees, Lord Shiva appeared in his Mahakala form and destroyed the enemies of King Chandrasena. Upon the request of his devotees Shrikhar and Vridhi, Lord Shiva agreed to reside in the city and become the chief deity of the Kingdom and take care of it against its enemies and to protect all His devotees. From that day on, Lord Shiva resided in His light form as Mahakala in a Lingam that was formed on its own from the powers of the Lord and His consort, Parvati. The Lord also blessed his devotees and declared that people who worshipped Him in this form would be free from the fear of death and diseases. Also, they would be granted worldly treasures and be under the protection of the Lord himself.
History:
The temple complex was destroyed by Sultan Shams-ud-din Iltutmish during his raid of Ujjain. The Jyotirlingam was dismantled and believed to be thrown into a nearby 'Kotiteerth Kunda' (a pond neighboring the temple) with the Jaladhari (a structure supporting the Lingam) stolen during the invasion.
The present structure was built by the Maratha general Ranoji Shinde in 1734 CE. Further developments and management was done by other members of his dynasty, including Mahadji Shinde (1730–12 February 1794) and Daulat Rao Shinde's wife Baiza Bai. (1827–1863). During the reign of Jayajirao Shinde (until 1886), major programs of the then Gwalior State used to be held at this temple.[citation needed]
Maratha regime was established in Ujjain in the fourth decade of Eighteenth c. The administration of Ujjain was assigned by Peshwa Bajirao-I to his faithful commander Ranoji Shinde, The Diwan of Ranoji was Sukhatanakar Ramchandra Baba Shenavi who was very wealthy he decided to invest his wealth for religious purposes. In this connection, he re-built the famous Mahakala temple in Ujjain during the 4th-5th decades of Eighteenth c. AD.
After Independence the Dev Sthan Trust was replaced by the municipal corporation of Ujjain. Nowadays it is under the collectorate office of Ujjain districrt.
Things to Know Before You Go
The bhasm aarti begins at 4 a.m. and if you want to offer your own puja (prayer) separately, you'll have to do it after the aarti and you might spend a couple of hours waiting. The aarti is extremely popular and bookings need to be made to see it. This can be done online a month in advance and is recommended. There's no cost. Bookings can also be made at the dedicated counter at the temple entrance the day prior. However, places fill up fast.
Do note that there's a dress code when attending the bhasm aarti if you wish to go inside the inner sanctum and participate in the jal abhishek ritual (offering water to the god) before the aarti starts. Men have to wear a traditional dhoti and women must wear a sari. People start lining up at the temple from around 1 a.m. to gain entry, so you'll need to arrive early and wait.
Cell phones and cameras are not permitted to be taken inside the temple premises, and security checks are conducted. There's a storage counter where you can leave your belongings.
Where to View the Bhasm Aarti
The bhasm aarti commences shortly after the jal abhishek ritual. There are four halls outside the temple's inner sanctum from where the aarti can be observed, some of which have been newly constructed to accommodate more devotees. The differences are in their size and location. Allocation is based on availability when booking. Nandi Mandapam is the preferred hall to be in, as it's smaller (fits only 100 people) and closest to the temple's inner sanctum. The larger Ganpati Mandapam is situated beside Nandi Mandapam and is the next best option, with stairs to sit on for an uninterrupted view.
It can fit 400 people. Kartikey Mandapam is a new hall above Ganpati Mandapam. Bhasmarti Mandapam is another new hall located the furthest away. The aarti is telecast onto giant screens while it's being performed.
Legend:
According to the Puranas, the city of Ujjain was called Avantika and was famous for its beauty and its status as a devotional epicenter. It was also one of the primary cities where students went to study holy scriptures. According to legend, there was a ruler of Ujjain called Chandrasena, who was a pious devotee of Lord Shiva and worshiped him all the time. One day, a farmer's boy named Shrikhar was walking on the grounds of the palace and heard the King chant the Lord's name and rushed to the temple to start praying with him. However, the guards removed him by force and sent him to the outskirts of the city near the river Kshipra. Rivals of Ujjain, primarily King Ripudamana and King Singhaditya of the neighboring kingdoms decided to attack the Kingdom and take over its treasures around this time. Hearing this, Shrikhar started to pray and the news spread to a priest named Vridhi. He was shocked to hear this and upon the urgent pleas of his sons, started to pray to Lord Shiva at the river Kshipra. The Kings chose to attack and were successful; with the help of the powerful demon Dushan, who was blessed by Lord Brahma to be invisible, they plundered the city and attacked all the devotees of Lord Shiva.
Upon hearing the pleas of His helpless devotees, Lord Shiva appeared in his Mahakala form and destroyed the enemies of King Chandrasena. Upon the request of his devotees Shrikhar and Vridhi, Lord Shiva agreed to reside in the city and become the chief deity of the Kingdom and take care of it against its enemies and to protect all His devotees. From that day on, Lord Shiva resided in His light form as Mahakala in a Lingam that was formed on its own from the powers of the Lord and His consort, Parvati. The Lord also blessed his devotees and declared that people who worshipped Him in this form would be free from the fear of death and diseases. Also, they would be granted worldly treasures and be under the protection of the Lord himself.
History:
The temple complex was destroyed by Sultan Shams-ud-din Iltutmish during his raid of Ujjain. The Jyotirlingam was dismantled and believed to be thrown into a nearby 'Kotiteerth Kunda' (a pond neighboring the temple) with the Jaladhari (a structure supporting the Lingam) stolen during the invasion.
The present structure was built by the Maratha general Ranoji Shinde in 1734 CE. Further developments and management was done by other members of his dynasty, including Mahadji Shinde (1730–12 February 1794) and Daulat Rao Shinde's wife Baiza Bai. (1827–1863). During the reign of Jayajirao Shinde (until 1886), major programs of the then Gwalior State used to be held at this temple.[citation needed]
Maratha regime was established in Ujjain in the fourth decade of Eighteenth c. The administration of Ujjain was assigned by Peshwa Bajirao-I to his faithful commander Ranoji Shinde, The Diwan of Ranoji was Sukhatanakar Ramchandra Baba Shenavi who was very wealthy he decided to invest his wealth for religious purposes. In this connection, he re-built the famous Mahakala temple in Ujjain during the 4th-5th decades of Eighteenth c. AD.
After Independence the Dev Sthan Trust was replaced by the municipal corporation of Ujjain. Nowadays it is under the collectorate office of Ujjain districrt.
Things to Know Before You Go
The bhasm aarti begins at 4 a.m. and if you want to offer your own puja (prayer) separately, you'll have to do it after the aarti and you might spend a couple of hours waiting. The aarti is extremely popular and bookings need to be made to see it. This can be done online a month in advance and is recommended. There's no cost. Bookings can also be made at the dedicated counter at the temple entrance the day prior. However, places fill up fast.
Do note that there's a dress code when attending the bhasm aarti if you wish to go inside the inner sanctum and participate in the jal abhishek ritual (offering water to the god) before the aarti starts. Men have to wear a traditional dhoti and women must wear a sari. People start lining up at the temple from around 1 a.m. to gain entry, so you'll need to arrive early and wait.
Cell phones and cameras are not permitted to be taken inside the temple premises, and security checks are conducted. There's a storage counter where you can leave your belongings.
Where to View the Bhasm Aarti
The bhasm aarti commences shortly after the jal abhishek ritual. There are four halls outside the temple's inner sanctum from where the aarti can be observed, some of which have been newly constructed to accommodate more devotees. The differences are in their size and location. Allocation is based on availability when booking. Nandi Mandapam is the preferred hall to be in, as it's smaller (fits only 100 people) and closest to the temple's inner sanctum. The larger Ganpati Mandapam is situated beside Nandi Mandapam and is the next best option, with stairs to sit on for an uninterrupted view.
It can fit 400 people. Kartikey Mandapam is a new hall above Ganpati Mandapam. Bhasmarti Mandapam is another new hall located the furthest away. The aarti is telecast onto giant screens while it's being performed.
During the Ritual
The entire aarti lasts for about 45 minutes to an hour. The first part of the aarti, while the shringar is done, is sublime and well worth the scramble. However, the actual bhasm part — which is often hyped to no end — lasts only about a minute and a half.
During this crucial minute and a half that you wait to watch from 2 a.m., women are asked to cover their eyes. It's important to note that the bhasm being used is no longer from funeral pyres but actually just vibhuti – the sacred ash used in most temples, sometimes made from powdered cow dung.
After the Lord is adorned in the bhasm, the actual aarti begins, with the offering of the lamps. The aarti is usually accompanied by chants of praises to the Lord.
The entire aarti lasts for about 45 minutes to an hour. The first part of the aarti, while the shringar is done, is sublime and well worth the scramble. However, the actual bhasm part — which is often hyped to no end — lasts only about a minute and a half.
During this crucial minute and a half that you wait to watch from 2 a.m., women are asked to cover their eyes. It's important to note that the bhasm being used is no longer from funeral pyres but actually just vibhuti – the sacred ash used in most temples, sometimes made from powdered cow dung.
After the Lord is adorned in the bhasm, the actual aarti begins, with the offering of the lamps. The aarti is usually accompanied by chants of praises to the Lord.
References:
https://www.timesnownews.com/spiritual/religion/article/all-you-need-to-know-about-ujjains-mahakaleshwar-temple/503326
https://www.outlookindia.com/traveller/mp/inspire-me/culture/ujjain-ashes-ashes-dust-dust/
https://hinduism.stackexchange.com/questions/21740/bhasma-aarti-at-mahakaleshwar-temple-ujjain
https://www.templepurohit.com/hindu-temple/mahakaleshwar-ujjain/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahakaleshwar_Jyotirlinga
https://www.tripsavvy.com/mahakaleshwar-temple-at-ujjain-guide-1539494
https://www.outlookindia.com/traveller/mp/inspire-me/culture/ujjain-ashes-ashes-dust-dust/
https://hinduism.stackexchange.com/questions/21740/bhasma-aarti-at-mahakaleshwar-temple-ujjain
https://www.templepurohit.com/hindu-temple/mahakaleshwar-ujjain/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahakaleshwar_Jyotirlinga
https://www.tripsavvy.com/mahakaleshwar-temple-at-ujjain-guide-1539494
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