The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, and is the third in the Dvadasha Jyotirlinga Stotra. The temple committee describes it as the only south-facing Jyotirlinga, and the Bhasma Aarti is held here every day at 4 AM.
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- Deity
- Shiva (Mahakal)
- Tradition
- Shaiva
- Place
- Ujjain (ancient Avanti, Ujjayini), Ujjain district
- State
- Madhya Pradesh
- Country
- India
- Official website
- Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple Management Committee, Ujjain (shrimahakaleshwar.mp.gov.in)
- Map
- OpenStreetMap (23.1828, 75.7683)
Darshan and aarti timings
| Bhasma Aarti | 4:00–6:00 AM (all year) |
|---|---|
| Dadyodak Aarti (Bal Bhog) | 7:00–7:45 AM (Chaitra–Ashwin), 7:30–8:15 AM (Kartik–Phalgun) |
| Bhog Aarti | 10:00–10:45 AM (Chaitra–Ashwin), 10:30–11:15 AM (Kartik–Phalgun) |
| Sandhya Aarti | 7:00–7:45 PM (Chaitra–Ashwin), 6:30–7:15 PM (Kartik–Phalgun) |
| Shayan Aarti | 10:30–11:00 PM (all year) |
The committee gives separate times for two halves of the year: from Chaitra Krishna Pratipada to Ashwin Purnima, and from Kartik Krishna Pratipada to Phalgun Purnima. It gives the aarti times, not separate opening and closing hours for darshan. Places at the Bhasma Aarti are booked in advance.
Source: shrimahakaleshwar.mp.gov.inChecked: Times can change; check the official source before you go.
The story of Mahakal: the asura Dushana and the brahmins of Avanti
According to the Shiva Purana (Kotirudra Samhita, chapter 16), a brahmin devotee of Shiva named Vedapriya lived in the city of Avanti with his four sons. The asura Dushana of Mount Ratnamala, strengthened by a boon from Brahma, set about stopping Vedic rites and besieged Avanti.
The sons stayed absorbed in the worship of an earthen linga. The ground beside the linga then split open and Shiva appeared as Mahakala; with the sound "Hum" he burnt Dushana and his army to ashes. At the brahmins’ request he stayed there as Mahakaleshwar. The next chapter (17) tells of King Chandrasena and the cowherd boy Shrikara.
About the temple
According to the temple committee the temple has three levels: Mahakaleshwar at the bottom, the Omkareshwar Shivalinga above it and Nagchandreshwar at the top, whose shrine opens only on Nag Panchami. The committee describes the Bhasma Aarti as the temple’s particular mark.
According to the committee’s history page, Sultan Iltutmish attacked Ujjain in 1235 and destroyed the temple; in the fourth decade of the 18th century Ramchandra Baba Shenvi, diwan of Ranoji Shinde, had it rebuilt.
How to reach Mahakaleshwar
- Airport: Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport, Indore, about 58 km (temple committee).
- Rail: Ujjain Junction, linked to Indore, Bhopal, Delhi, Mumbai and other cities (temple committee).
- Road: about 53 km from Indore (temple committee).
Main festivals
Where the sources differ
- The age of the present temple: the committee’s history page dates the rebuilding to the fourth decade of the 18th century, while the temple page of the same site says "around 150 years ago".
- Sandhya Aarti: the committee’s home page says "about 6 to 7 PM"; its timings page gives the two seasonal times above.
Frequently asked questions
When is Mahakal’s Bhasma Aarti?
According to the temple committee, every day from 4 to 6 AM, all year. Places are booked in advance.
Where is Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga?
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is in Ujjain (ancient Avanti, Ujjayini), Ujjain district, Madhya Pradesh.
What are the darshan timings at Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga?
Bhasma Aarti: 4:00–6:00 AM (all year); Dadyodak Aarti (Bal Bhog): 7:00–7:45 AM (Chaitra–Ashwin), 7:30–8:15 AM (Kartik–Phalgun); Bhog Aarti: 10:00–10:45 AM (Chaitra–Ashwin), 10:30–11:15 AM (Kartik–Phalgun); Sandhya Aarti: 7:00–7:45 PM (Chaitra–Ashwin), 6:30–7:15 PM (Kartik–Phalgun); Shayan Aarti: 10:30–11:00 PM (all year). Source: shrimahakaleshwar.mp.gov.in, checked 5 October 2026; check the official source before you go.
Which lists of tirthas include Mahakaleshwar?
The 12 Jyotirlingas (number 3 of 12 in the list).
How to reach Mahakaleshwar?
Airport: Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport, Indore, about 58 km (temple committee). Rail: Ujjain Junction, linked to Indore, Bhopal, Delhi, Mumbai and other cities (temple committee).
Sources
- Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple Management Committee (official site): aarti times, shrimahakaleshwar.mp.gov.in/timing; temple and festivals, /temple; history, /history; reaching Ujjain, /about-ujjain; important days, /important-days
- Shiva Purana, Kotirudra Samhita, chapter 16 और 17 (J. L. Shastri's English translation, wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/shiva-purana-english/d/doc226517.html; numbered as in the Sanskrit text on sa.wikisource; the Gita Press abridged edition numbers chapters differently)
- Shiva Purana, Kotirudra Samhita 1.21–23 (the list of the twelve), Sanskrit text: sa.wikisource.org (शिवपुराणम्, संहिता ४, अध्यायः १)
- Dvadasha Jyotirlinga Stotra ("सौराष्ट्रे सोमनाथं च …"), text: sanskritdocuments.org/doc_shiva/jyotirling.html
- Wikidata Q2721992 (coordinates, CC0)
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