Mahakaleshwar and Omkareshwar Temples: 12 Jyotirlingas (Part 3)

Situated on the banks of the holy river Kshipra which is believed to originate from the heart of Varaha (Lord Vishnu’s Third Avatar), Mahakaleshwar Temple is one of the most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva located in the town of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Famous for its presiding deity which is believed to be Swayambhu, deriving currents of Shakti from within itself as against the other lingams which are established and invented through rituals along with mantra shakti. The idol of Mahakaleshwar has a unique feature among 12 Jyotirlingas of being dakshinamukhi, which means south facing following the tantric shivnetra tradition. The tradition of Bhasma Aarti is the most unique one as it is followed in this Maha Shaktipeeth only.

According to Puranas, it is believed that when Maa Sati put herself on fire, Lord Shiva carried her in his arms trying to save her. On seeing such situation of Shiva and worrying about how Sansaar (universe) will work in absence of their Ishvar’s mental presence, Hari (Vishnu) with the help of his Sudarshan Chakra, divided the body of Maa Sati into 51 pieces, each falling into a different part of the earth, leading to the formation of Shakti Peeth at that particular place. Lord Shiva on seeing this was worried that he might lose his consort forever and so, he applied the bhasma on his body which has left behind in his hand. This is how bhasma aarti got its importance. It is believed that the lips of Maa Sati fell in Ujjain and so, this temple is one of the 18 Maha Shaktipeeth where Mahakali is the avatar of Shakti.

श्री महाकालेश्वर जी का भस्म आरती श्रृंगार दर्शन 27.06.2021

Originally tweeted by 12 Jyotirlingas Of Mahadev (@12Jyotirling) on June 27, 2021.

Though it is open for worship throughout the year, on the day of Mahashivratri, a huge fair is held near the temple and pooja goes on through the night. Shahi Savari of Baba Mahakal with the participation of a huge number of devotees is carried out to the Kshipra river on last Monday of the holy period of Sawaan during the months of Shraavana and Bhadrapada. It is one of the shrines of Vaippu Sthalams sung by Nayanar Appar. The city is also famous for the Kumbh Mela.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Omkareshwar Temple is situated on Shivpuri island in the Narmada river at Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh. As per Hindu Ithihas, there are many stories related to the appearance of Shiva in the form of Omkareshwar. One of which says, Vindya, the deity controlling the Vindhyachal mountain range was worshipping Lord Shiva to mollify the sins committed by him. He made a Lingam out of sand and clay and created a sacred geometrical diagram looking at which Shiva was pleased and it is believed that he appeared in two forms, namely Omkareshwar and Amaleswara. The island is also known as Omkareshwar because of its shape which resembles with Devanagari symbol ॐ.

There are two main temples of Lord Shiva here, one to Omkareshwar (“Lord of Omkara” or “Lord of the Om sound”) located in the island and one to Mamleshwar, also known as Amaleswara (“Immortal Lord” or “Lord of the Immortals or Devas”) which is situated on the southern bank of Narmada River on the mainland. The original Omkareshwar temple was destroyed during Tughlaq Invasion and the present structure was built under the reign of Ahilyabai Holkar. Advait Matt has proposed a philosophy of Omkaar saying it is composed of two words, Om (sound) and Akaar (srishti). These words are considered as one word, believing the Om beej mantra of Srishti to be the creator of itself.