Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Lingam of the Mahakaleshwar temple is the largest among all other Jyotirlingas. Images of various Gods, Goddesses, Apsaras, and Kichakas adorn the walls and pillars of the temple.
Planning to visit the Mahakaleshwar Temple? Have a look at our Mahakaleshwar Omkareshwar Tour Package.
Mahakaleshwar Temple – Facts
| Deity | Lord Mahakaleshwar (Lord Shiva) |
| Location | Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh |
| Significance | Jyotirlinga |
| Tours | Mahakaleshwar Omkareshwar Tour |
| Darshan Timings | 4:00 AM to 11:00 PM |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Poojas | Maharudrabhisek, Laghurudrabhisek |
| Best Time to Visit | October to March |
| Festivals | Shravan, Shivratri |
| Jyotirlingas in Madhya Pradesh | Mahakaleshwar Temple, Omkareshwar Temple |
Darshan Timings of the Mahakaleshwar Temple
The temple opens at 4 AM and closes at 11 PM. The temple also performs various rituals during this time. The devotees can be a part of these rituals, such as the morning, afternoon, and evening aarti. Moreover, there is no afternoon break in between, unlike most temples which remain closed in the afternoon for lunch.
The timings are as follows:
| Ritual | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Darshan | 4:00 AM | 11:00 PM |
| Bhasma Aarti | 4:00 AM | 6:00 AM |
| Morning Pooja | 7:00 AM | 7:30 AM |
| Evening Pooja | 5:00 PM | 5:30 PM |
| Shree Mahakaal Aarti | 7:00 PM | 7:30 PM |
It is important to note that during the winter season, these rituals take place half an hour later than the given timings.
What are the sevas and poojas of the Mahakaleshwar Temple?
Some of the sevas and poojas of the Mahakaleshwar Temple are:
- Bhasm Aarti: This aarti is unique to the temple. The priest applies Vibhhoti (Bhasm) to the Shiva Linga every day at 4:00 AM. Only, pilgrims holding a VIP pass can enter the Sanctum or the Garbhagraha for the aarti. Women cannot witness Bhasma decoration during the aarti.
- Maharudrabhishek: In the abhishek, recitations of Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda and Atharva Veda is done in front of the deities of the Mahakaleshwar Temple.
- Laghurudrabhishek: This abhishek is done to resolve issues related to health and wealth. It is also done to remove the harmful effects of planets in the horoscope.
- Mahamrityunjaya Jaap: The Mahamrityunjaya abhishek increases longevity and immortality of the person. It is also known as the Rudra mantra and has miraculous effects in the lives of the people who perform it. Chanting this mantra helps relieve the individual from the cycle of death and rebirth. Hence, this mantra is also known as the Moksha Mantra.
What is the significance of Mahakaleshwar Temple?
The significance of the Mahakaleshwar Temple is that the Lingam of Mahakaleshwar is Swayambhu in nature. Sri Mahakaleshwar is the Lord of Time. He is also famous as the one who is capable of winning difficult situations. This is the only Lingam in the world which faces south, the direction of Death.
The Mahakaleshwar temple is also one of the eighteen Maha Shakti Peethas. Shakti Peethas are the sites where body parts of Sati Devi fell after the Sudarshana Chakra, in the Daksha Yoga episode of Hindu mythology, cut her body. Devotees believe that the Upper Lip of the Sati Devi fell here. Moreover, the Goddess is popular as Mahakali here.
What is the history of the Mahakaleshwar Temple?
As per the history of Mahakaleshwar Temple, Lord Brahma himself established the first temple at the site. The coins recovered at Ujjain have the mark of Lord Shiva on them. According to several poetic texts, in the Paramara period, invaders destroyed the temple. Later, Udayaditya and Naravarman, the rulers of the Malwa region, rebuilt it.
According to the ancient scripture, Sthalapuranam, King Chandrasena was a devotee of Shiva. A young boy named Shrikhar heard his prayers to the god and wanted to join him. However, people did not let him do it and sent him out of the city. Shrikhar heard the plans of rival kings Ripudhamana and Singhaditya to attack the city with the help of the demon king Dushan.
Asura Dushan had a blessing of invisibility from Brahma. So, Shrikhar and a priest named Vriddhi prayed to Lord Shiva for help. The enemies arrived at Avantika (now known as Ujjain) and started torturing the people. They banned all Vedic Dharmanushtan activities in the city. The people started praying to Lord Shiva for help.
Devotees also believe that when Dushan started attacking Avantika, the ground split near the statue of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva came out of it as Mahakaal. He burnt the demons with just one grunt. Adhering to the request of the people of Avantika, Lord Shiva then decided to stay there as the chief deity of Avantika.
What is the structure of the Mahakaleshwar Temple?
The Mahakaleshwar temple is a three-storied structure. The Lingam of Mahakaleshwar is worshipped on the first floor, which is actually under the ground level. On the second level, the Lingam of Omkareshwara is worshipped. The Nagachandeshwara Linga is worshipped on the third level. The third level is open to the public only on Naga Panchami.
What are the festivals celebrated at Mahakaleshwar Temple?
Some of the festivals celebrated at Mahakaleshwar Temple are:
- Kumbh Mela: This Mela has the distinction of being the largest religious gathering on the planet. It takes place once every 12 years in Ujjain, Allahabad, Haridwar, and Nashik. Also, the festival continues for about one and a half months. The pilgrims and sages (sadhus) take a ceremonial dip in the River Ksipra. Religious discourses, Ramlilas, Raslilas as well as the grand procession of sadhus are the main features of the Kumbh Mela.
- Mahashivaratri: Thousands of pilgrims visit the temple to celebrate the day Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. It occurs on the 13th or 14th day of the Magha month (February / March) in the Indian hindu calendar
- Karthik Mela: It occurs every year in the Hindu month of Karthik (November / December).
- Harihara Milana: The celebrations of this festival take place on Vaikuntha Chaturdashi, which signifies the meeting of two Lords – Lord Krishna as well as Lord Shiva at midnight.
How to reach the Mahakaleshwar Temple?
Here’s how to reach Mahakaleshwar Temple:
- Air: The nearest airport is Indore which is 53 km away from Ujjain.
- Train: Direct trains are available to Ujjain from major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Benaras, Kochi as well as Jaipur.
- Road: Bus services are available from cities like Indore, Surat, Mumbai, Pune, Udaipur, Nasik, and Mathura.
Route from Indore
Indore is about 53 km away from the Mahakaleshwar Temple. Plenty of options are available for one to travel to the temple from here. Here’s the Mahakaleshwar Temple route from Indore:
- Air: The nearest railway station is in Indore and one can hire cabs or take a bus to Mahakaleshwar Temple from there.
- Train: One can travel through trains such as the Ranthambhor SF express as well as the Malwa SF express to travel between Ujjain and Indore.
- Road: The fastest route to travel from Indore to Mahakaleshwar temple is via the Ujjain-Indore road. Also, it takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to travel using this route.
Where to stay near the temple?
The Temple Management has constructed two Dharmashalas for pilgrims to stay. The names of the Dharmashalas are Pandit Shree Surya Narayan Vyas Dharmashala and the Shree Mahakaal Dharmashala. Non AC dormitories, Non AC rooms, and AC rooms are available to pilgrims at reasonable rates.
Several budget hotels, 3-star, and 5-star hotels operate in Ujjain as this is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world.
What are some temples nearby?
Some of the temples near Mahakaleshwar Temple are:
- Harsiddhi Temple: It is located just 400 meters away from the Mahakaleshwar temple. This temple is one of the Shakti Peethas according to Hindu mythology. Devotees also believe that Sati’s elbow fell here when the Sudarshana Chakra, in the Daksha Yagna episode of the Hindu tradition, cut her body.
- Ram Janardhan Mandir: Raja Jai Singh constructed this temple in the 17th century. The specialities of the temple include the 11th-century sculpture of Govardhandhari Krishna, the 10th-century sculpture of Vishnu as well as the 12th-century idol of Trimurti.
- Kala Bhairava temple: Beliefs say that King Bhadra constructed this temple over the ruins of an old demolished temple. Further, this temple was of great significance during the Paramar period.
- Chintamani Ganpati Temple: The Goddess Riddhi and Siddhi are present on two sides of Lord Ganesh. Devotees also offer special prayers to the god every Wednesday in the month of Chaithra.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mahakaleshwar Temple
Yes, the Mahakaleshwar Temple is open all 365 days of the year.
The entry to the Mahakaleshwar Temple is free of cost.
No. There is no facility for online darshan available.
No. There is no facility for specially-abled and senior citizens.
The summers in Ujjain starts from April and continue until June. The summers here can be very hot and dry. Temperatures during the daytime often go up to 45 º C.
In Ujjain, winters start in October and continue until March. The temperatures during this time range from around 3 º C to 20 º C. The weather during this time is cold but pleasant.
If you have any questions about The Mahakaleshwar Temple, please leave a comment below, and we will get back to you within one hour.
Nishant says
We want to do mundan ceremony of my 2 year daughter in Ujjain. Where we can do in Ujjain?
prasad says
bhakt can do jalabhishek by self to linga or only pujari can offer ?
D.R.PRASAD GUPTA says
I tried several times to Book ONLINE for Pujas for Sunday the 26th November 2023. But Data saved shows the date as 25th November 2023 instead my date entry of 26.11.2023. How do I book for Pujas on Sunday the 26th November 2023? How do I book both for me and my wife? Should I book twice? Please guide.
D.R.PRASAD GUPTA says
I am waiting for your reply to my question.
Mukund C Doshi says
Pl give charges of Laghurudrabhishek &
Mahamrityunjaya jaap
Arunkumar says
Will there be Tamil manthras sung in this temple?
S.Venkatraman says
Kindly inform me whether wheelchair facility available in the temple? If so to get it how to get it from the temple? If not can we bring wheelchair from outside and use it in the temple?
This why I am asking,, because two or three ladies in our forthcoming tour group are aged more than 79 years and not able to walk more distance.
Archana Shukla says
Wants to go for Bhasam arti at Makaleswar Temple. So how can I see the arti. Please suggest me some beautiful places to visit at Madhya Pradesh.
Nikhil Nigam says
What are the benefits if booking online sheet sheegra darshan which is 250/- per person and also what is Garbgrah darshan?
Arvind kumar says
Kisi ke kundali mei Jo sarpkal dosh hota hai , uske niwaran ke liye mandir me kab Jana chahiye . Iske liye koi specific month mei Jana hota hai ya kabhi bhi ja sakte hai.
Dilipkumar N Shukla says
I booked a Laghu Rudrabhishek. What preparation I shoulsd do or what Samagris I am supposed to bring? Shall I be able to perform puja and timing of the Puja? Any other dakshina to the Brahmins in addition to my payment of Rs.3000/-?
मेरा नाम राजेश कुमार गुप्ता says
भस्म आरती का क्या कोई शुल्क है और भस्म आरती के लिए कितने बजे हम लोग को पहुंचना होगा और उसके लिए क्या परिधान धारण करने होंगे कृपया मार्गदर्शन करें अगर हम लघु रुद्राभिषेक करना चाहे उसका क्या शुल्क है और कितने बजे से कितने बजे तक होगा और उसका जो पूजा सामग्री है वह हम साथ लाएं या मंदिर प्रशासन से मिलेगी जय महाकाल
A G SATHYANARAYAN says
We are a senior citizen couple 75 and 71, from Bangalore. We are flying to Indore on 21st Nov and stay overnight. Next morning we shall travel by car to Mahakal. We wish to perform Jalabhishek there. Do you have any arrangement for making us comfortable to perform this small ritual and have trouble-free darshan. What shall be the service charges for this.
Mayur patel says
हम लघुद्राभिषेक करना चाहते ही इसके लिए कोई सुविधा उपलब्ध है कितना पैसे देने होगे और भस्म आरती के लिए कोई बुकिंग करना ही इसके लिए कितना पैसे देने होगे
Gautam Roy says
Website for Booking Bhasmarati at Ujjain is not user friendly & for unknown reason majority time not functioning. Hence not able to Book. Now unnecesarily have to pay more & increase of corruption without contributing to Govt.
Renu says
We want to do Mahabhisheka. Is there any specific time ? I read about the types of MahAbhisheka. Do we have to take prior appointment? And how much we have to pay?
Sasidhar Darla says
Please email us on info@myoksha.com with your contact number and we will get in touch with you.
Sumedha Goel says
Hello
Want to hire a guide with a good knowledge about Mahakali temple.
Between 11,12 nov
Anita sharam says
I want to do the abhishek in Mahakaleshwar on 9th of non 2o21
RAKESH SHARMA says
No STAFF SEPOT
Sunita says
We can do darshan in the month of October like normal days or any covid precautions plz guide
Praveen Goyal says
I want to do kaal sarp dosh pooja
RATHOD says
Can we visit august last week
Amit says
Is online room booking available for the two dharmshalas near the Mahakaleshwar temple? Kindly, share the link.
Parth Mishra says
Can we able to attend bhasm Aarti on 2 September we are from up
Renuka says
Sir can we take darshan August mounth Last satarday and sunday? We r from karnataka
Damini says
Is mahakaleshwar temple is open on Sunday during covid-19
SITARAM MISHRA says
I plan to darshan &puja with my family in March 2021 I came from Kolkata
Anish Kanjilal says
Can we pour water on Shiva linga ? If yes then till what time its allowed to do so
Ajay says
कल हम दर्शन के लिये जा रहे हैं.क्या हमे ऑनलाईन रजिस्ट्रेशन करना पडेगा.
Ashwinikumar gupta says
Dose Booking required for darsan
pradeep says
is people from other states are allowed for mahakaleshwar temple for darshan…please give required information
Dr. Ashok N. Patel says
At present darshan is open for all pilgrims, outside from the other states
Mouneswar says
I want mahakaleshwar darshan when it will free in which month
We are four members can we get daram shal rooms
Pratik Gupta says
I want to do darahan on 15 July 2020 with 10 family members. Can I do general darshan and how many time it will take.
Thanks
Pankaj Dubey says
How much time takes for darshan with VIP ticket in morning 9am
Sasidhar Darla says
30 mins
C.P.Yadav says
I can darshan on sunday 8 march. 2020
Sasidhar Darla says
yes
KVRS Raju says
Thank you very much for the information.
Please let me know about Lord Bethaala temple
NEETU Singh says
Kindly tell that what is the dress code for man in winter in Bhasm arti
Jyoti says
How mangal dosh puja performed
Aaryan Sharma says
Is Temple open for all the 7 days in the week?
Sasidhar Darla says
yes
MOHIT SADANA says
I want to come in January next year on 2 and want to do Darshan on 3 of January can I do on line booking for Bhasma Aarti how much time required in line for Darshan and if I’m not making on line booking can I get ticket from there is there is any counter
Sasidhar Darla says
Please do online booking for Bhasmarti. It is the best way to do darshan.
SURYAPRAKASH M V says
How to book for Laghu Rudrabhisheka Pooja at Mahakaleshwar Temle.? Can It be done online?. What is the cost and what are the timings? Pl give the details as I am intending to visit in the third week of SePtember 2019for this Pooja.
Sridhar says
How can I get the ticket for abhishekam …?
Sasidhar Darla says
Tickets are not available online. You can reach the temple and purchase the ticket.
Rajendra says
We are visiting, first time , Ujjain on 7 August 2019 for Darshan. A ticket costs RS.250/- online per head paid to witness bhasmarti and Darshan on 8 August. What facilities are provided to pilgrims like us on this score and at what time we should reach in mandir.
Kindly guide us.
Sasidhar Darla says
The price is only for attending bhasmarti. No other facilities will be provided. Reach the mandir by around 2 am.
Venu says
Daily busma Pooja hours proof identity
Sasidhar Darla says
Bhasmarti happens at 3 am. You need to go and stand in the queue at 2 am. The pooja booking can be done online.
ABHISHEK KARNIK says
HOW MANY APPROX. TIME IT TAKES FOR DARSHAN IN MONDAY OF SHRAVAN ?
Sasidhar Darla says
Shravan Mondays are very busy. It usually takes 6-8 hours for darshan.
Ritika says
Dress code for men and women for normal darshan in month of december
Sasidhar Darla says
Traditional wear is recommended.
DEVENDRA KHARBANDA says
What is the ideal time to visit Ujjain for Shri Mahakaleshwar Darshan. Is July month is appropriate time to visit temple. We had booked our rail ticket for 24th June. 2019 Since our ticket could not be confirmed at the last movement, we, therefore., could not visit on 25th June. Now we want to visit in July, Please confirm, is it ideal time to visit.
Sasidhar Darla says
July is a good time to visit. There might be some delays in trains due to monsoon though.
Lakshmi says
Is it possible to have kumkumarchana in Naha kali temple
If yes what are the timings
How much is to be paid for the seva
Do we need to book the seva before
CSR Prabhu says
Are Abhisja and other pujas conducted during the Navaratri time now upto Shivaratri or not?
DIGVIJAY says
SHRAVAN MAHINE ME YAHA KHUB BHID HOTI HAI?
Sasidhar Darla says
Yes there will be rush during shravan
shyam dubey says
sir I want pooja to pleasent RAHU can i get some direction from you or contact number of pandit ji who can arrangae all things
sandeep nischal says
Required at stay inujjan on11-3-17to 13-3-17 given detail
Rajiv garg says
I want the vip pass of Bhasam Aarti
Sasi says
Dear Rajiv, We do not arrange any passes for Darshan. You need to contact the temple administration.
Krishnakant says
You can visit Web page of mahakal mandir