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.
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 (Pooja) | From | Till |
| 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 |
History Of Mahakaleshwar Temple Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
The history of Mahakaleshwar Temple Ujjain is fascinating & engrossing. It is believed that, long ago, the city of Ujjain was ruled by King Chandrasen. The king was an avid devotee of Lord Shiva. A young fellow – Shrikhar – was highly motivated by his devotion and desired to be a part of his prayers. But, unfortunately, he was rejected by the royal cavalry.
Incidentally, some neighboring rulers were planning then to attack Ujjain. Shrikhar and the local priest – Vridhi – heard about it and started praying relentlessly. Lord Shiva heard their prayers and decided to safeguard this city as a lingam forever. After that, the ruling king and his successors raised the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple.
The Ujjain Mahakal Temple suffered many attacks over time and was destroyed & demolished. However, the Scindia clan took over the responsibility of its restoration in the 19th century.
Places to Visit Near Ujjain Temple
- Mahakaleshwar
- Kaalbhairav
- Harasiddhi
- Vedshala
- Sandipani Asrama
- Chintamani Ganesh
- Triveni Navagraha
- Mangalnath
- Siddhavath
- Gopal Mandir
Also Read: Bhimashankar Temple: History, Timings, and Connectivity
How to Reach Ujjain?
By Air:
The nearest airport is Indore Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport is an international airport that is 60 km from Ujjain Mahakal Temple.
By Train:
The different railway line directly connects Ujjain to Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Mumbai, Ayodhya, Lucknow, Dehradun, Delhi, Banaras, Kochin, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Howrah, and many more.
Tips
Here are a few tips that you should go through before visiting the Mahakaleshwar Temple. Take note to make the most out of your vacation.
- Try staying at the temple or book a hotel nearby so that you attend the eminent Bhasma Aarti
- For attending the Aarti, do make your bookings beforehand
- Do carry your photo ID Proof. Pan cards are not accepted. Aadhar card and passport are accepted.
- Wear decent clothes and try covering your head while the Aarti takes place
