Jai Mahakal! Ujjain is the city of temples, and at its heart lies the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and holds immense spiritual significance because Lord Shiva reigns here as the King of Ujjain.

1. The Only Dakshin-Mukhi Jyotirlinga

Mahakaleshwar is unique because the idol faces South (Dakshin). In Hinduism, South is the direction of Death (Yama). As ‘Mahakal’ (The Conqueror of Time and Death), Lord Shiva facing south signifies his mastery over death itself.

2. The Bhasma Aarti (A Must-Watch)

The most famous ritual here is the Bhasma Aarti, performed daily at 4:00 AM. In ancient times, fresh ash from a funeral pyre was used, signifying that everything eventually turns to ash, and Shiva is the ultimate reality. Today, sacred ash prepared from cow dung is used.

3. Mahakal Lok Corridor

The newly constructed Mahakal Lok is a grand corridor over 900 meters long, depicting stories from the Shiva Purana through magnificent statues and murals. It is best visited in the evening when it is beautifully illuminated.

4. Kal Bhairav Temple

No visit to Ujjain is complete without visiting Kal Bhairav, the guardian deity of the city. Here, liquor is traditionally offered to the deity as prasad, a ritual that has baffled scientists and devotees alike.