"Exploring Ujjain’s New Corridor: A Journey of Faith and Beauty"
Om Namah Shivaya.
Ujjain is one of the oldest and holiest cities
in India, home to the Mahakaleshwar Temple, one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Lord
Shiva. I have always wanted to visit this sacred site and experience its
spiritual aura. So when I heard that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had
inaugurated the first phase of the Mahakal Lok project, a mega corridor
development project that aims to enhance the experience of pilgrims visiting
the temple, I decided to book my tickets and head to Ujjain.1
The best time to visit Ujjain is between the
months of “October to March”, when the weather is pleasant and windy. It is the
perfect time for sightseeing as the entire place looks spellbinding with
temperatures hovering at a pleasant 20 degree Celsius. During winters, the
whole town is enveloped in mist and the mornings are chill and nights face
frigid temperatures.2
For the rest of the year, Ujjain may be too
hot for you, with temperatures soaring as high as 45 degrees Celsius like other
parts of Madhya Pradesh. Summers are comparatively torrid and monsoons are
humid and rainy.
If you are interested in attending the Kumbh
Mela, which is held every 12 years in Ujjain, you should plan your visit in the
month of “March”, when the festival kicks off. It is believed that those who
take a bath in the Shipra river during the Kumbh Mela wash their sins of all
previous births. Nearly 20 million devotees are expected to attend this massive
gathering .3
The Mahakal Lok project is a Rs 850 crore
initiative that will expand the temple precinct by nearly seven times, decongest
the area, provide world-class amenities, and conserve and restore the heritage
structures.4 The first phase of the project covers a 920-metre-long
corridor that connects the temple with the Rudra Sagar lake.5 The
corridor is filled with stunning installations, sculptures, murals, fountains,
and lotus ponds that depict various aspects of Lord Shiva's life and legends.6
As I walked along the corridor, I was
mesmerized by the beauty and grandeur of the place. The pink stones, the
shimmering blue water, and the myriad colours from the tall statues kept me
spellbound. I felt like I was walking through a divine history book, learning
about Shiva's dance of bliss, his marriage with Parvati, his battle with
Tripurasura, his manifestation as Ardhanarishwara, and many more stories from
the Shiva Purana.5 The corridor also has 108 pillars that represent
the Ananda Tandava Swaroop (dance form) of Lord Shiva.4
The highlight of the corridor is the Plaza
area, which is spread over 2.5 hectares and surrounded by a lotus pond. In the
centre of the plaza stands a majestic statue of Shiva along with fountains that
create a spectacular visual effect.4 The plaza also has a Bharat
Mata Mandir, where I paid my respects to Mother India.5 The entire
premise is monitored by an Integrated Command and Control Centre with
artificial intelligence and surveillance cameras.4
After admiring the corridor, I reached the
Mahakaleshwar Temple, which is one of the most revered shrines of Lord Shiva.
The temple houses a swayambhu (self-manifested) lingam that faces south, a
unique feature found only in this temple.5 The temple is also one of
the 18 Maha Shakti Peeths, where the upper lip of Sati Devi fell and where
Mahakali resides.5 The temple was originally built by Lord Brahma
but was destroyed by Turk ruler Shams-ud-din Iltutmish in the 13th century.7
It was rebuilt by Maratha general Ranoji Shinde in 1734 and restored by the
Scindias in the 19th century.5
I joined the queue of devotees who were
waiting to get a glimpse of the lingam and offer their prayers. As I entered
the sanctum sanctorum, I felt a surge of energy and devotion. I bowed my head
before the lingam and felt its powerful presence. I also witnessed the famous
Bhasma Aarti, where the lingam is adorned with sacred ash every morning.5
It was an unforgettable experience that filled me with peace and joy.
My visit to Ujjain's new corridor was one of
the best trips of my life. I was amazed by how well the project has transformed
the temple area into a modern and magnificent destination while preserving its
ancient glory and heritage. I would highly recommend anyone who loves
spirituality, culture, and art to visit Ujjain and witness this marvel for
themselves.
Ujjain has many other attractions besides the
Mahakal Lok corridor and the Mahakaleshwar Temple. Some of them are:
Ø Harsiddhi Temple: This is a temple dedicated to Goddess
Harsiddhi, who is considered to be one of the forms of Shakti. The temple has two
unique features: a pair of towering deep stambhs (lamps) that are lit during
festivals and a Sri Yantra carved on the ceiling of the sanctum.8
Ø Kal Bhairav Temple: This is a temple dedicated to Kal Bhairav,
who is believed to be the guardian deity of Ujjain. The temple is famous for
its tradition of offering liquor to the deity, which is then consumed by the
idol through a metal pipe.9
Ø Sandipani Ashram: This is an ancient ashram where Lord Krishna
and his brother Balarama are said to have received their education from Guru
Sandipani. The ashram has a number of relics and structures related to
Krishna's life, such as the Gomti Kund, where he washed his writing slate, and
the Ankapata, where he wrote numbers with his fingernails.9
Ø Ram Ghat:
This is a ghat (bank) on the river Kshipra, where pilgrims take a holy dip
during the Kumbh Mela, which is held every 12 years in Ujjain. The ghat also
has a number of temples and shrines dedicated to various deities, such as Ram,
Hanuman, Ganesha, and Shiva.10
Ø Gadkalika Temple: This is a temple dedicated to Goddess Kalika,
who is worshipped as a form of Durga. The temple is believed to be very old and
was visited by the poet Kalidasa, who prayed here for divine inspiration.11
Some of the things to keep in mind while visiting
temples in Ujjain are:
- Dress modestly and respectfully. Avoid
wearing shorts, skirts, sleeveless tops, or any revealing clothes. Cover your
head with a scarf or a cap if required by the temple authorities.
- Remove your shoes and socks before entering
the temple premises. Some temples may provide lockers or shoe racks to store
your footwear. You may also carry a pair of socks to wear inside the temple if
you are not comfortable walking barefoot.
- Follow the rules and regulations of the
temple. Do not touch the idols or the priests without their permission. Do not
take photographs or videos inside the temple without permission. Do not eat,
drink, smoke, or chew gum inside the temple. Do not litter or make noise inside
the temple.
- Respect the customs and traditions of the
temple. Observe silence and maintain decorum while inside the temple.
Participate in the rituals and ceremonies if you wish to, but do not force
yourself or others to do so. Do not argue or debate with the priests or other
devotees about religious matters.
- Make donations or offerings if you want to,
but do not feel obliged or pressured to do so. Some temples may have donation
boxes or counters where you can contribute money or other items. Do not give
money or gifts directly to the priests or beggars outside the temple.
- Be aware of your surroundings and
belongings. Beware of pickpockets, touts, scammers, or fake guides who may try
to cheat you or mislead you. Do not leave your valuables unattended or in your
vehicle. Carry a valid ID proof and some emergency contacts with you.
Source:
(1)
Best Time To Visit Ujjain > Weather, Temperature & Season - Holidify.
https://www.holidify.com/places/ujjain/best-time-to-visit.html.
(2)
Best time to visit Ujjain - Thomas Cook India.
https://www.thomascook.in/india-tourism/best-time-to-visit-ujjain.
(3)
Best Time To Visit Ujjain | Peak Season | Ujjain Weather | Climate. https://traveltriangle.com/madhya-pradesh-tourism/ujjain/best-time-to-visit.
(4)
All you need to know about Ujjain's Mahakal Lok corridor.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/all-you-need-to-know-about-ujjains-mahakal-lok-corridor/articleshow/94776634.cms.
(5)
Inside Ujjain’s grand Mahakal Corridor inaugurated by PM ... - Firstpost.
https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/ujjains-mahakal-mahakaleshwar-temple-corridor-inaugurated-by-pm-narendra-modi-11428691.html.
(6)
Mahakal Lok Temple Corridor, Ujjain | Madhya Pradesh - Tour My India.
https://www.tourmyindia.com/blog/mahakal-lok-ujjain/.
(7)
After Kashi, preparations on to build Ujjain Mahakal Corridor: Plan for .... https://www.republicworld.com/india-news/general-news/after-kashi-preparations-on-to-build-ujjain-mahakal-corridor-story-of-its-iconic-revival-articleshow.html.
(8)
Places to Visit in Ujjain - Tripadvisor.
https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attractions-g679024-Activities-Ujjain_Ujjain_District_Madhya_Pradesh.html.
(9)https://bing.com/search?q=Ujjain+attractions.
(10)
Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple. http://dic.mp.nic.in/ujjain/mahakal/default.aspx.
(11)
THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Ujjain - Tripadvisor. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g679024-Activities
Ujjain_Ujjain_District_Madhya_Pradesh.html.
Dr. Mayank Chandrakar is a writer also. My first book "Ayurveda Self Healing: How to Achieve Health and Happiness" is available on Kobo and Instamojo. You can buy and read.
For Kobo-
https://www.kobo.com/search?query=Ayurveda+Self+Healing
The second Book "Think Positive Live Positive: How Optimism and Gratitude can change your life" is available on Kobo and Instamojo.
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