Mahakaleshwar Omkareshwar Jyotirlingas 2N 3D (4*)

About this tour

Discover the holiest pilgrim sites in India, Explore the boundless energy of the Jyotirlinga and Learn their importance in our lives. It is a common belief that a person who is fortunate to visit all the 12 Jyotirlingas during their lifetime is released from all karmic debt backlog and attains moksha. The 12 Jyotirlingas are associated with each of the 12 zodiac signs and visiting the one associated with a person’s sun sign is recommended . The Lingam is the infinite creation of energy, it is represented by a round stone (symbolic of the dome of the sky) and sitting in the yoni (representing the earth). Sometimes it has a more phallic presentation symbolic of the interwoven divine male and female energies. There are twelve Jyotirlinga temples found throughout India, which are naturally occurring Lingas. These are places where the Linga was found and a temple was built around it. The found Linga already had the power of Shiva within it, it did not need pranpratishta to awaken it or instill Shiva’s energy into it. The jyotirlinga represents the atman (Soul). 

Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple also known as Mahakal temple in Ujjain is a renowned Hindu temple in India dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India, located on the banks of the River Shipra at Ujjain in the state of Madhya Pradesh. This Shiv Temple (mandir) of Ujjain has always been included in the spiritual tourist destinations due to its magnificent history and glory. It is also famous in the country and abroad due to the Simhastha fair (Kumbh Mela) held once in 12 years. There are two words contained in Mahakal, Maha and Kaal, in Sanskrit maha means “great” and Kaal means “Time and Death” and it is believed Lord Shiva is the God of death and time. Because of this, he is called Mahakaleshwar, and this temple is also known as Mahakal (Mandir) Temple.

It is believed that King Chandrasena of Ujjain was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. While he was praying, a young boy, Shrikhar wished to pray along with him. However, he was not allowed to do so and was sent away to the outskirts of the city. There, he overheard a plot to attack Ujjain by enemy kings Ripudamana and Singhaditya with the help of a demon named Dushanan. He began to pray to Lord Shiva to protect the city. Vridhi, a priest heard his prayers and also prayed to the Lord to save the city. In the meanwhile, the rival kings attacked Ujjain. They were almost successful in conquering the city when Lord Shiva came in his Mahakal form and saved them. From that day on, at the behest of his devotees, Lord Shiva lives on in this famous Ujjain temple in the form of a linga.

Since it is a self-originated linga, it derives power on its own. It does not require mantra shakti for power like the other lingas and moorthies (statues). It is the only jyotirlinga that faces south – dakshinamukhi. All the other jyotirlingas face east. This is because the direction of death is believed to be south. As Lord Shiva faces south, it symbolizes that he is master of death. In fact, people worship Mahakaleshwar to prevent untimely death – to enjoy a long life. Nagchadreshwar is opened to the public only one day in the year – on Nag Panchami day. It remains shut on all the other days. Bhasma aarti (offering with ashes) is a famous ritual here. As ash is pure, non-dual, imperishable and unchangeable, so is the Lord.

Omkareshwar Temple is located on an island called Mandhata or Shivapuri on the Narmada River in the Khandwa district in Madhya Pradesh. The temple has a large prayer hall with about 60 huge and elaborately carved stone pillars supporting it. It is a five storied structure with each floor having a different deity. Above the Omkareshwar linga is the Mahakaleshwar temple. Sidhnath, Gupteshwar and Dhwajeshwar temples are on the third, fourth and fifth floors respectively.

One legend says that two sons of emperor Mandhata of the Ikshvaku dynasty performed severe austerities and pleased Lord Shiva because of which the mountain is called Mandhata Mountain. And Lord Shiva manifested himself as a jyotirlinga.

Another legend says that Vindhya Parvat prayed to Lord Shiva performing severe penance to make the Vindhyas, His abode. Some say it was to become taller than Mount Meru. Lord Shiva was pleased with the penance and granted his wish by appearing as a jyotirlinga there. At the behest of the gods and sages, Lord Shiva split the linga into two parts – one is at Omkareshwar and the other at Amareshwar or Mamleshwar. Therefore, devotees visit both these temples when they visit Mandhata.

It is said that Lord Shiva also allowed the Vindhyas to grow but only as long as he did not trouble the pilgrims. However, over time, Vindhya Parvat’s massiveness did cause problems for the devotees and so they sought sage Agastya’s help. The sage ordered the mountain to stop growing until he returned to it, which he never did, and hence he solved the devotees’ problem.

There are two Shiva temples situated near each other, both of which are famous pilgrimage spots for devotees – Amareshwar Jyotirlinga on the mainland and Omkareshwar on an island. It is said that Mandhata Island, on which Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is situated, is in the shape of the sacred Om (ॐ) symbol. There are shrines to Panchamukhi Ganesha, and Annapoorani housed within this temple.

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