Mahakaleshwar Temple The religious city Ujjain is very famous all over the world. The Mahakal temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, is located here. Apart from this, Kumbh Mela is also organized every 12 years which is known as Simhastha. There are many more such things about this city that you are probably unaware of till date, so let us know the interesting things related to this city-
Everyone must have heard the name of Ujjain city of Madhya Pradesh. This city, famous for its religious beliefs, is best known for two things in the whole world. The first is the temple of Baba Mahakal located here and the second is the Kumbh to be held here. The Mahakal temple in the ancient city of Ujjain is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Every year lakhs of devotees reach here from far and wide to visit this temple of Baba Mahakal, the Kaal of blacks. The description of this form of Lord Shiva is also found in detail in Shiva Purana.
We all must have heard the mythological story of this temple of Lord Shiva many times, but you hardly know the scientific importance. If you are planning to visit Ujjain, the city of Baba Mahakal in the coming days, then today we are going to tell you the interesting history related to this temple and its name.
Ujjain is the center of the earth
We all have read since childhood that our earth is spherical, but whenever it comes to its center point, people often get confused. In such a situation, if we tell you that Ujjain city of Madhya Pradesh is the center point of the earth, would you believe it? Actually, it is not we but the astronomers themselves who believe so. According to astronomers, this ancient city of Madhya Pradesh is situated between the earth and the sky. Even in the scriptures, Ujjain has been described as the navel place of the country. Even in Varaha Purana, the city of Ujjain has been described as the navel place of the body and Baba Mahakaleshwar as its deity.
That’s why Mahadev is called Mahakal
Bholenath’s city Ujjain has always been considered very useful and important for time-calculation. In the map of the country, this city is located at 23.9 degree north latitude and 74.75 degree east longitude. Not only this, sages themselves have also believed that Ujjain is located at zero longitude. The Tropic of Cancer also passes through this city. Apart from this, Ujjain is the only city where the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator intersect. Keeping these characteristics of this ancient city in mind, Ujjain has been considered the best for time-calculation, almanac making and meditation. This is the reason why astrologers have been calculating India’s period from here since ancient times. Due to the calculation of time, the adorable Lord Shiva here is known as Mahakal.
South facing Jyotirlinga is Mahakal
The Mahakal temple located in Ujjain also has mythological significance. There is a belief about this temple that Lord Shiva protected his devotees by killing a demon named Dushan here, after which Bhole Baba sat here after the request of the devotees. This temple is the third Jyotirlinga among the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Its special thing is that it is the only Jyotirlinga, which is south facing.
This is the reason why it is considered very important from the point of view of Tantra Sadhana, because for Tantra Sadhana it is necessary to be south facing. There is also a belief about this temple that Lord Shiva himself appeared here. Along with this, it has also been said in the Puranas that Ujjain was founded by Brahmaji himself. It is also a belief that salvation is attained only by seeing Mahakal.
Vikram Samvat calendar found from Ujjain
Apart from the calculus, the city of Ujjain is also well known for its king Vikramaditya. In fact, King Vikramaditya, who ruled this city in ancient times, had built a historical calendar for Hindus called Vikram Samvat, which is currently a popular Hindu calendar. On the basis of this calendar, fasting and festivals are celebrated in the northern, western and central parts of India. Not only this, this era has also been recognized in Nepal. Before Vikram Samvat, Yudhishthir Samvat, Kaliyug Samvat and Saptarshi Samvat have also been prevalent in the country.
Why Ujjain’s Kumbh is called Simhastha
The city of Ujjain has its own significance in Hinduism. This ancient religious city is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths and four Kumbh sites in the country. Here every 12 years there is a full Kumbh and every 6 years there is an Ardh Kumbh Mela. However, the Kumbh Mela held in Ujjain is called Simhastha. Actually, Simhastha is related to the zodiac sign Leo. When Jupiter enters Leo and Sun enters Aries, Kumbh is organized in Ujjain, which is known as Simhastha.
Ujjain is also known by these names
Being situated on the banks of Kshipra river, this city is also known as Shipra. Apart from this, this ancient city is also famous as the city of the great Sanskrit poet Kalidas. On the other hand, if we talk about its ancient names, Ujjain was earlier also known as Avantika, Ujjayani, Kanakshranga. It is one of the fifth largest cities of Madhya Pradesh, which is a major tourist destination worldwide due to its religious beliefs. Apart from Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ganesh Temple, Harsiddhi Temple, Gopal Temple, Mangalnath Temple, Kaal Bhairav Temple are also very famous here.
