Mahakal Jyotirlinga
Tour
Mahakal Jyotirlinga 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.
The temple has five levels one of which is undergound. The
temple itself is located in a spacious courtyard surrounded
by massive walls near a lake. The shikhara 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
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
.
|
