Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga and its "Self-Manifested" Shiva Linga

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple & its "Self-Manifested" Shiva Linga

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, Ujjain, is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva.

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It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingams, which means it is one of the most sacred abodes of Bhagwan Shiv.

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Mahakaleshwar means the God of time, and people believe that God Shiva is the god of time.

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It is believed that the Shiva Linga in the Mahakaleshwar temple is ‘self-manifested, ‘ meaning that it obtains its power from within itself

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The original structure of the Mahakaleshwar temple was destroyed by Sultan-Shams-ud-din Iltutmish during his raid of Ujjain in 1234-1235.

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The Marathas built the current structure of the Mahakaleshwar temple and the visible deity.

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God Shiva pierced the three worlds as an endless pillar made of light. This was the Jyotirlinga.

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All the 12 Jyotirlingas are where Shiva appeared as the column of light. Hence, all the jyotirlingas are the manifestation of Bhagwan Shiv.

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Mahakaleshwar temple is the only one with a Dakshinamukhi Shiva Lingam. Dakshin means South, and Mukhi means facing, which means South-facing idol.

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The main deity of Omkareshwar Mahadev is consecrated in the temple’s Sanctum Sanctorum, which lies above the shrine of Mahakal.

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