Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga - third of the twelve Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva

Mahakaleshwara Jyotirlinga

Mahakaleshwar is the third Jyotirlinga out of the twelve. This unprecedented Jyotirlinga is present in a city called Ujjain on the banks of the Kshipra River in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh. Ujjain city has a very important place in the Hindu religion, and it has been described as Avantikapuri in ancient religious texts.

According to the glorification mentioned in Kotirudra Samhita of Shivmahapuran, by regularly worshipping Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga form of Lord Shiva, a person fulfils all his desires and finally attains salvation. There is a small water body in Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple, which is called Koti Teertha. Mahakaleshwar is the god of time. Kaal means both time and death, hence Mahakala ji is worshipped as the god who rules over time and death. Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is Dakshinamurthy out of all the twelve Jyotirlingas. Therefore, in this form, Lord Shiva's face is towards the south, which has special significance for the practitioners of the Tantra path.

Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Origin Story

In ancient times, there was a very virtuous city by the name of Avantika Puri. There was a very pious and virtuous Brahmin who used to live in, his name was Vedpriya. He was always engrossed in studying the Vedas and Vedic rituals. He used to worship and worship the Parthiva Shivalinga every day at home and regularly organised Agnihotra Yagya following all the rituals.

As a result of the religious conduct of the Veda-loving Brahmand Dev and devotion to the Vedas, he finally attained the supreme salvation equal to the great sages, saints and ascetics. Vedapriya ji had four sons named Devapriya, Priymedha, Sukrita and Suvrata. Those four sons were also virtuous and religious like their great father. The entire Avanti city was shining with the radiance the virtues of those four brothers.

On the other hand, during the same period, a demon named Dushana performed severe penance of Lord Brahma on Ratnamala Mountain and after receiving a boon from him, became very powerful. That unrighteous wicked man, intoxicated by his power, started attacking the Vedas, religious places and religious practices. After seeing radiance of religious and spiritual activities in Avanti city, Dushan also attacked the Brahmins of Avanti city, and because of this there was an uproar in the entire city. The four sons. Four fire-like demons sent by Dushan surrounded the entire city from all four directions, but there was not the slightest fear in the minds of the four Brahmin sons who worshipped Lord Shiva. Those Brahmin sons also assured the other townspeople to remain free from fear and after worshipping the Shivalinga, they got engrossed in the meditation of Lord Shiva. Seeing the Brahmin brothers worshipping Dushan became furious and ordered the demons to kill them. But all four sons of Vedpriya were engrossed in the contemplation of Lord Bholenath Shiva with their eyes closed.

As soon as a demon of Dushan tried to kill those Brahmins, a huge pit was formed at the place of Shivalinga worshipped with a terrible roar and Lord Shiva himself appeared in it in a very monstrous form. Everyone present there was stunned and astonished to see the fearsome form of Mahadeva. Lord Shiva roared loudly and said to Dushan, O wicked man, sinner, evil-doer, I have appeared in the form of Mahakala to destroy evil men like you. As soon as he said this, Lord Shiva destroyed Dushan and his entire army with his fierce roar.

As soon as the Dushan ended, the joy and happiness spread in the world. After seeing the Mahakala form of Lord Shiva, the deities started showering flowers from the sky. Lord Mahakal asked the four Brahmin sons to ask for a boon, but instead of asking for anything for their interest, they devoutly requested the Lord to remain seated in the same place forever for the welfare of the entire world.

By accepting the request of Vedapriya's sons, Lord Shiva, who provides welfare to the devotees, got established forever in the form of Shri Mahakala Jyotirlinga in the pit from where he had appeared, who is worshipped as Mahakaleshwar on earth. From that place, one kilometre of land in all directions became the place of Lord Mahakala. By the grace of Lord Shri Mahakaleshwara, all four sons of Vedapriya Brahmin attained salvation.

Suta ji says, sages! By just having the Darshan of Shri Mahakaleshwara Jyotirlinga, all the sorrows and misery are destroyed and by worshipping Mahakala Jyotirlinga with full devotion and reverance, one gets salvation along with the fulfilment of all the wishes.

॥Iti Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Utpatti Katha Sampurna॥

Major temples near the Shri Mahakaleshwar Tirtha Kshetra

1. Devi Mahakali Temple
2. Kalbhairava Temple
3. Saptarishi Temple
4. Vridhakaleshwara Temple
5. Brihaspateshwara Temple
6. Devi Avantika Temple