Namaste,

Jai Mahakal!

In the last blog, we covered the Jain Tirth - Mohankheda and after that, we headed to Ratlam and finally arrived at Ujjain. Ujjain is the both historical as well as the religious center of the country. One of the 12 Jyotirlings - Mahakal is present here.

We visited the Mahakal Mandir to have his blessings and it was very very pleasant, and peaceful to catch a glimpse of Mahakal in the morning. Mahakal Mandir is located in Ujjain at the banks of the Shipra river. One must do the registration to attend the bhasma arti that happens at 0500 Am. The maximum rush is on Monday.

Just at the gate of Mahakal, a huge market is there where you can shop and try local cuisines. However, the complete market opens at 0300 Pm till 1200 Am midnight. We tried pain puri, lemon soda, rabdi, lassi, fruit salad, and a meal.

We woke up early in the morning, our schedule was packed. The journey of 200 kilometers was to be covered via car.

Breakfast hours were at 0800 Am but we had no time so we packed a few sandwiches and started our trip.

After covering a conference in Ratlam city, we reached Ujjain by midnight. We stayed in a Dharmshala. We were completely tired after hours of car travel.

A large section of highway is under construction, so if you are coming via car, it is going to take a long time. It is better to take the railway.

As we had to get up by 0230 Am, we skipped our night's sleep and stayed working and talking for the rest of the night.

After standing in queue for 2 hours, by 0500 AM we finally entered the temple. It was Monday - a special day designated to lord Shiva and Mahakal is the representation of Lord Shiva so thousands of people came.

Thousands of devotees poured in and it was hard to take out the camera and take pictures.

After coming out of the central hall, we relaxed in the outer complex. In front of us was a huge complex constructed recently, filled with many idols, history, and art to be covered.

We started our walk by chanting Jai Mahakal! Har Har Mahadev! Bam Bhole!

Even after staying awake for more than 40 hours, we were filled with energy and enthusiasm after catching a glimpse of Lord Mahakal.

Earlier, there used to be residences of people. The government relocated them and built this extension and made Ujjain Mahakal Mandir a great tourist hotspot.

Each pillar is beautifully designed! Depicting idols and arts.

Beautiful small gardens at regular intervals, filled with different flowers.

In between the complex, there is a huge lake. The lake receives water from Shipra river.

At night, one can see beautiful reflections of the lights. The entire lake was glittered with all the colors.

Huge idols of gods and goddesses are located at regular intervals. You can compare the height and understand the size of the idols.

Lord Parshuram, a great warrior who once took the oath of extinction of the Kshatriya Varna.

The complex has also employed local people and the majority of the guards placed here are women. They will guide you and can arrange an electrical vehicle for a trip.

Roof with Swastik design. Swastik designs or symbols are prevalent from ancient times.

Lord Shiva in his calm stance.

The use of lights, and red sandstone pillars is absolutely an amazing combination.

The angry stance of Lord Shiva, drinking poison to save the world from it. An event in Samudra-manthan. This event gave him another name Neel Kanth - Blue throat. Blueness because of poison.