TEMPLES IN UJJAIN
MAHAKALESHWAR TEMPLE
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga (Hindi: महाकालेश्वर ज्योतिर्लिंग) is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingams, which are supposed to be the most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva. It is located in the ancient city of Ujjain in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. The temple is situated on the side of the Rudra Sagar lake. The presiding deity, Lord Shiva in the lingam form is believed to be Swayambhu, deriving currents of power (Shakti) from within itself as against the other images and lingams that are ritually established and invested with mantra-shakti.
JYOTIRLINGA
As per the Shiva Purana, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu once had an argument over who was supreme in the creation. To test them, Shiva pierced the three worlds as an endless pillar of light, the jyotirlinga. Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma decide to travel along the pillar downwards and upwards respectively, to find the end of the light. Brahma lied that he had found the end, while Vishnu conceded his defeat. Shiva appeared as a second pillar of light and cursed Brahma that he would have no place in ceremonies while Vishnu would be worshipped till the end of eternity. The jyotirlinga is the supreme partless reality, out of which Shiva partly appears. The jyotirlinga shrines, thus are places where Shiva appeared as a fiery column of light. There are 64 forms of Shiva, not to be confused with Jyotirlingas. Each of the twelve jyotirlinga sites take the name of the presiding deity - each considered different manifestation of Shiva.
The shrine is revered as one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peetham. Shakti Peethas are shrines that are believed to have enshrined with the presence of Shakti due to the falling of body parts of the corpse of Sati Devi, when Lord Shiva carried it. Each of the 51 Shakti peethas have shrines for Shakti and Kalabhairava. The Upper Lip of Sati Devi is said to have fallen here and the Shakti is called as Mahakali.
द्वारकाधीश गोपाल मंदिर
द्वारकाधीश गोपाल मंदिर उज्जैन नगर का दूसरा सबसे बड़ा मंदिर है।गोपाल मंदिर, उज्जैन के प्रसिद्ध स्थानों में से एक है तथा यह मंदिर भगवान कृष्ण को समर्पित है। इस मंदिर को द्वारकाधीश मंदिर भी कहा जाता है। गोपाल मंदिर का निर्माण दौलत राव सिंधिया की धर्मपत्नी वायजा बाई ने संवत 1901 में कराया था जिसमें मूर्ति की स्थापना संवत 1909 में की गई। इस मान से ईस्वी सन 1844 में निर्माण 1852 में मूर्ति की स्थापना हुई।
इतिहास
यह मंदिर कम से कम दो सौ वर्ष पूराना है । मंदिर में भगवान द्वारकाधीश, शंकर, पार्वतीऔर गरुढ़ भगवान की मूर्तियाँ है ये मूर्तियाँ अचल है और एक कोने में वायजा बाई की भी मूर्ति है। यहाँ जन्माष्टमी के अलावा हरिहर का पर्व बड़ी धूमधाम से मनाया जाता है। हरिहर के समय भगवान महाकाल की सवारी रात बारह बजे आती है तब यहाँ हरिहर मिलन अर्थात विष्णु और शिव का मिलन होता है। जहाँ पर उस वक्त डेढ़ दो घंटे पूजन चलता है।
यह मंदिर मराठा वास्तुकला का सबसे बेहतरीन उदाहरण है। यहाँ देवता की मूर्ति चांदी के रूप में लगभग 2 फीट की ऊँची है। इस मूर्ति को जहाँ रखा गया है वह एक संगमरमर से जड़ी हुई वेदी है और चांदी की परत वाले दरवाज़े हैं। चांदी की परत वाले दरवाज़े के बारे में एक मिथक है कि वे सोमनाथ मंदिर से महमूद गाज़ी द्वारा चुराए गए थे।ये एक अफग़ानी हमलावर महमूद षाह अब्दाली द्वारा लाहौर वापस लाए गए। एक लंबे संघर्ष के बाद, दरवाज़े बरामद किए गए और गोपाल मंदिर में पुनस्र्थापित किए गए। मंदिर परिसर में जन्माष्टमी सहित अनेक त्योहार सालभर मनाए जाते हैं।
मंदिर में दाखिल होते ही गहन शांति का अहससास होता है। इसके विशाल स्तंभ और सुंदर नक्काशी देखते ही बनती है। मंदिर के आसपास विशाल प्रांगण में सिंहस्त या अन्य पर्व के दौरान बाहर से आने वाले लोग विश्राम करते हैं। पर्वों के दौरान ट्रस्ट की तरफ से श्रद्धालुओं तथा तीर्थ यात्रियों के लिए कई तरह की सुविधाएँ प्रदान की जाती है। शहर के मध्य व्यस्ततम क्षेत्र में स्थित इस मंदिर की भव्यता आस-पास बेतरतीब तरीके से बने मकान और दुकानों के कारण दब-सी गई है।
कैसे पहुँचे
सड़क मार्ग: मध्यप्रदेश के इंदौर से लगभग 60 किलोमिटर दूर उज्जैन हिंदुओं का विश्व प्रसिद्ध तीर्थ स्थल हैं। इंदौर बस स्टेंड से बस द्वारा उज्जैन पहुँचा जा सकता है।
रेल मार्ग: तीर्थ स्थल उज्जैन का रेलवे स्टेशन देश के सभी प्रमुख रेलवे स्टेशनों से जुड़ा हुआ है। यहाँ से छोटी और बड़ी लाइन की रेलगाड़ियाँ मुंबई, दिल्ली, चेन्नई और कोलकाता के लिए जाती है।
हवाई मार्ग: उज्जैन का सबसे निकटतम हवाई अड्डा इंदौर है।
CHINTAMAN GANESH TEMPLE
Chintaman Ganesh is the biggest temple of Lord Ganesha in Ujjain. This temple is built across the Kshipra river on the Fatehabad railway line, and is located about 7 km far south-westerly to the Ujjain town. The temple is located now in the middle of the town's market. The temple dates back to 11th and 12th centuries when the Paramaras ruled over Malwa. The Ganesha idol enshrined in this temple is supposed to be swayamabhu (self manifested). Locally, Ganesha is also referred to as Chintaman. His consorts, Ridhhi and Siddhi, flank Chintaman, the assuager of all worries. The finely-carved stone pillars in the assembly hall and the white shrine define the age-old sanctity of the temple
The temple deity Lord Ganesha is regarded as the Lord of beginnings as per the Hindu beliefs. In the traditional times, the Lord is known as Chintaharan which literally means remover of all worries and tensions. The temple is thronged by crowds of people that come to do away with all their worries at the shrine of the Lord. The term Chintamani is another name used for Lord Vishnu, who is considered as the preserver of the Universe as per Hindu Mythology. Also called Vighneshwara, the moderator of grief, Ganesha is always the first to be worshipped in the Hindu pantheon, lest he decide to sow obstacles in the devotees' path.
The idol of main temple is supposed to be self - manifested. The idol of Ganesh is adorned with his two wives siddhi and riddhi. The temple also has a vishnu shrine. The history of the Chintamani Ganesh Temple dates back to the ancient period when the people used to believe in the notion that the gods and he goddesses come alive on the earth for their purpose or to attend their follower's ardent prayers from such a notion came the idea that the Lord Ganesh came into the earth and created the temple for himself in Ujjain is very popular.
Inside the temple, the 'Garbhgriha' comprises the image of Lord Ganesha. The main point is that this idol is supposed to be 'swayambhu' (self-manifested), unlike other idols. The site is adored by the two wives of Lord Ganesha, Riddhi and Siddhi that are placed on the either side of the Lord. The temple also embraces the idol of Lord Vishnu in its vicinity. Here, Lord Ganesha and Lord Vishnu are worshipped together with great devotion.
RAM GHAT
Ram Ghat, Ujjain is famous for its Kumbhmela. Ujjain is considered the Greenwich of India due to the fact that the first meridian of longitude passes through it. According to the Indian astronomers, the Tropic of Cancer passes through the picturesque city of Ujjain. The historical Ujjain is an ancient city of central India, in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh. The city is located on the eastern bank of the Kshipra River. Ujjain is also well known for its various tourist attraction spots, among which the major ones are Mahakal Temple, Kaal Bhairav, Triveni (Nav Graha/ Shani), Harsidhhi (Durga Temple), Gadh Kalika, Chintaman Ganesh, ISKCON Temple, Sandipani Ashram and Mangalnaath.Ram Ghat, Madhya Pradesh is the oldest bathing ghat in Ujjain and has been used for that purpose for a s long as the Kumbh Mela has been held.
Kumbhmela is held in every 12 years at Ujjain. Ram Ghat, Ujjain is the most ancient bathing ghat in connection to the Kumbh celebrations. During the Kumbhmela lakhs of merit-seekers flock the city from each and every corner of the world and from all over India. These merit-seekers bathe to acquire merit at Ram Ghat in Ujjain in India. The baths go on all through the year. You will also find tortoise in the river. Ujjain is quite well connected by rail and road. The major roads that connect Ujjain to other cities in India are Indore Road, Dewas Road, Maksi Road, Badnagar Road and Agar Road. The three major railway stations in Ujjain include Ujjain City Junction, Vikram Nagar and Chintaman (metre gauge).
KALBHARAV TEMPLE
The Kal Bhairav temple is a Hindu temple located in the Ujjain city of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is dedicated to Kal Bhairav, the guardian deity of the city. Located on the banks of the Shipra River, it is one of the most active temples in the city, visited by hundreds of devotees daily.Liquor is one of the offerings made to the temple deity.
The present-day temple structure was built over the remains of an older temple. Images of Shiva, Parvati, Vishnu and Ganesha belonging to the Parmara period (9th-13th century CE) have been recovered from the place. The temple walls were once decorated with Malwa paintings. However, only traces of these paintings are visible now.
Liquor is offered to the temple deity as one of the five tantric ritual offerings known as panchamakara: madya (alcohol), maansa (meat), meena or matsya (fish), mudra (gesture or parched grain) and maithuna (sexual intercourse). In older times, all five offerings were made to the deity, but now only alcohol is offered; the other four offerings are in form of symbolic rituals. Outside the temple, vendors sell baskets of offerings, containing coconuts, flowers and a bottle of liquor. In 2015, the State Government set up liquor counters outside the temple to ensure that the devotees are not swindled by unlicensed vendors of alcohol. The counters sell both country liquor and foreign liquor. Every day, hundreds of devotees offer liquor to the deity. The devotees hand over the liquor bottles to the priest, who pours the liquor in a saucer. He then offers prayers, and takes the saucer near the deity's lips, which have a slit. He tilts the plate a bit, and the liquor starts disappearing. About one-third of the bottle is returned to the devotee as prasad. The temple priests as well as several devotees claim that the slit doesn't have any cavity, and that the deity miraculously swallows the liquor offered to him. However, the temple priest does not allow the visitors to examine the statue. He also claims that only he can perform the miracle, and that the others who have tried to make the statue swallow the liquor have failed.
मंगलनाथ मंदिर
यह मंदिर मध्य प्रदेश की धार्मिक राजधानी उज्जैन में स्थित है। पुराणों के अनुसार उज्जैन नगरी को मंगल की जननी कहा जाता है। ऐसे व्यक्ति जिनकी कुंडली में मंगल भारी रहता है, वे अपने अनिष्ट ग्रहों की शांति के लिए यहाँ पूजा-पाठ करवाने आते हैं। यूँ तो देश में मंगल भगवान के कई मंदिर हैं, लेकिन उज्जैन इनका जन्मस्थान होने के कारण यहाँ की पूजा को खास महत्व दिया जाता है।
निर्माण
कहा जाता है कि यह मंदिर सदियों पुराना है। सिंधिया राजघराने में इसका पुनर्निर्माण करवाया गया था। उज्जैन शहर को भगवान महाकाल की नगरी कहा जाता है, इसलिए यहाँ मंगलनाथ भगवान की शिवरूपी प्रतिमा का पूजन किया जाता है। हर मंगलवार के दिन इस मंदिर में श्रद्धालुओं का ताँता लगा रहता है।
कैसे पहुँचे
सड़क मार्ग से - उज्जैन-आगरा-कोटा-जयपुर मार्ग, उज्जैन-बदनावर-रतलाम-चित्तौड़ मार्ग, उज्जैन-मक्सी-शाजापुर-ग्वालियर-दिल्ली मार्ग, उज्जैन-देवास-भोपाल मार्ग, उज्जैन-धुलिया-नासिक-मुंबई मार्ग।
रेल मार्ग- उज्जैन से मक्सी-भोपाल मार्ग (दिल्ली-नागपुर लाइन), उज्जैन-नागदा-रतलाम मार्ग (मुंबई-दिल्ली लाइन), उज्जैन-इंदौर मार्ग (मीटरगेज से खंडवा लाइन), उज्जैन-मक्सी-ग्वालियर-दिल्ली मार्ग।
वायुमार्ग- उज्जैन से इंदौर एअरपोर्ट लगभग 65 किलोमीटर दूर है।
उज्जैन की गढ़कालिका माता का मंदिर
मध्यप्रदेश के उज्जैन के कालीघाट स्थित कालिका माता के प्राचीन मंदिर को गढ़ कालिका के नाम से जाना जाता है। देवियों में कालिका को सबसे महत्वपूर्ण माना गया है। गढ़ कालिका के मंदिर में मां कालिका के दर्शन के लिए रोज हजारों भक्तों की भीड़ जुटती है।
तांत्रिकों की देवी कालिका के इस चमत्कारिक मंदिर की प्राचीनता के विषय में कोई नहीं जानता, फिर भी माना जाता है कि इसकी स्थापना महाभारतकाल में हुई थी, लेकिन मूर्ति सतयुग के काल की है। बाद में इस प्राचीन मंदिर का जीर्णोद्धार सम्राट हर्षवर्धन द्वारा किए जाने का उल्लेख मिलता है। स्टेटकाल में ग्वालियर के महाराजा ने इसका पुनर्निर्माण कराया। कालिकाजी के इस स्थान पर गोपाल मंदिर से सीधे यहां जाया जा सकता है। गढ़ नामक स्थान पर होने के कारण गढ़ कालिका हो गया है। मंदिर के प्रवेश-द्वार के आगे ही सिंह वाहन की प्रतिमा बनी हुई है। आसपास दो तरफ धर्मशालाएं हैं। इसके बीच में देवीजी का मंदिर है। मंदिर के कुछ अंश का जीर्णोद्धार ई.सं. 606 के लगभग सम्राट श्रीहर्ष ने करवाया था। शक्ति-संगम-तंत्र में 'अवन्ति संज्ञके देश कालिका तंत्र विष्ठति' कालिका का उल्लेख है।
वैसे तो गढ़ कालिका का मंदिर शक्तिपीठ में शामिल नहीं है, किंतु उज्जैन क्षेत्र में मां हरसिद्धि शक्तिपीठ होने के कारण इस क्षेत्र का महत्व बढ़ जाता है। पुराणों में उल्लेख मिलता है कि उज्जैन में शिप्रा नदी के तट के पास स्थित भैरव पर्वत पर मां भगवती सती के ओष्ठ गिरे थे।> > लिंग पुराण में कथा है कि जिस समय रामचंद्रजी युद्ध में विजयी होकर अयोध्या जा रहे थे, वे रुद्रसागर तट के निकट ठहरे थे। इसी रात्रि को भगवती कालिका भक्ष्य की शोध में निकली हुईं इधर आ पहुंचीं और हनुमान को पकड़ने का प्रयत्न किया, परंतु हनुमान ने महान भीषण रूप धारण कर लिया। तब देवी डरकर भागीं। उस समय अंश गालित होकर पड़ गया। जो अंश पड़ा रह गया, वही स्थान कालिका के नाम से विख्यात है।
कैसे पहुँचे
सड़क मार्ग से - उज्जैन-आगरा-कोटा-जयपुर मार्ग, उज्जैन-बदनावर-रतलाम-चित्तौड़ मार्ग, उज्जैन-मक्सी-शाजापुर-ग्वालियर-दिल्ली मार्ग, उज्जैन-देवास-भोपाल मार्ग आदि देश के किसी भी हिस्से से आप बस या टैक्सी द्वारा यहाँ आसानी से पहुँच सकते हैं।
रेल मार्ग- उज्जैन से मक्सी-भोपाल मार्ग (दिल्ली-नागपुर लाइन), उज्जैन-नागदा-रतलाम मार्ग (मुंबई-दिल्ली लाइन) द्वारा आप आसानी से उज्जैन पहुँच सकते हैं।
वायुमार्ग- उज्जैन से इंदौर एअरपोर्ट लगभग 65 किलोमीटर दूर है।
BHAIRAV PARVAT SHAKTI PEETH
he Bhairav Parvat Shakti Peeth in Madhya Pradesh is located on the Bhairav Hills on the banks of the River Shipra in the city of Ujjaini. Locals also call this temple Gadkalika. It is said that after the Sudarshan Chakra of Lord Shiva cut the burnt corpse of Ma Sati into fifty-two pieces, her elbow fell on the Bhairav Hills.
The Bhairav Parvat Shakti Peeth in Madhya Pradesh is located on the Bhairav Hills on the banks of the River Shipra in the city of Ujjaini. Locals also call this temple Gadkalika. Ujjain is also known as ‘Sapta-puri’- one of the seven sacred cities. It is considered one of the holiest cities in the world due to the presence of several important temples in Ujjain. It is also famous for being the place where Lord Krishna, Balaram and Sudama received an education from the sage Rishi Sandipani.
The temple architecture of the Bhairav Parvat Shakti Peeth is unique: different coloured stone have been used in constructing it. In fact, the roof and walls of the temple have beautiful stone inscriptions. The idol of Devi Avanti is always adorned with a red sari as the colour red is considered sacred by married women in India.
History and Significance:
It is said that after the Sudarshan Chakra of Lord Shiva cut the burnt corpse of Ma Sati into fifty-two pieces, her elbow fell on the Bhairav Hills. The Mother is worshipped as Avanti in this temple and is protected by the Bhairav Lambkarna. Many say that it was not her elbow but rather her upper lips that fell there but that is highly debated.
How To Reach
By Air - Indore is the nearest airport to Ujjain and it is 52 kms away.. There are couples of national flights that ply from the major cities of India to Indore.
By Rail- The Nearest railway station is Ujjain itself.
By Road - Ujjain is well connected to rest of the India and people can have all means of transportation to come here. When coming through your own means of transportation, Agra-Mumbai highway is the ideal road to reach Indore and from there to the Ujjain.
BHAIRAV PARVAT SHAKTI PEETH
Harsidhhi is a regional Hindu goddess, popular in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, adjoining Maharashtra states of India.
Harsiddhi, a contracted form or, at its very least, a form of "Harshad Amba" - The Happy Mother, is considered one of the aspect of Amba and Kalika, the Hindu Devi. She is also known by the names like Harshal, Harshad, Harshat, Shikotar, Sikotar, and Vahanvati.
Kuldevi
She is worshiped as Kuldevi by many Kshatriya, Brahmin, Rajput and Vaishya communities. The Chandarana clan of Lohanas, Brahmakshatriyas, Harsana clan of Gurjars, many Jain castes as well Brahmins like Panchariya and many other communities also worship her as their Kuldevi. She is also religiously worshiped by fishermen and other sea-faring tribes and people of Gujarat as she is considered protector of ships at sea.
How To Reach
By Air - Indore is the nearest airport to Ujjain and it is 52 kms away.. There are couples of national flights that ply from the major cities of India to Indore.
By Rail- The Nearest railway station is Ujjain itself.
By Road - Ujjain is well connected to rest of the India and people can have all means of transportation to come here. When coming through your own means of transportation, Agra-Mumbai highway is the ideal road to reach Indore and from there to the Ujjain.
