Divine Ujjain:
Ujjain is one of those divine lands in Madhya Pradesh where you not just feel the peace but also sink in the divinity that calms your soul from within.
A major attraction here is Mahakaleshwar jyotirlinga. It is one of the 12 jyotirlingams, where Bhasma Aarti a daily ritual that you must attend."Bhasm Aarti" at 4:00 AM in the morning,The Aarti goes for about 2 hours. It will be an experience which you will never forget. order to attend the aarti, make sure to follow the dress code if you wish to go inside the sanctum and participate in Abhishek.
MahakaleshwarJyotirlinga:
is a temple dedicated to is Lord Shiva and one of the twelve jyotirlinga shrines which are said to be the most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva.
The temple is situated on the side of the holy river kshipra. The presiding deity, Lord Shiva in the lingam form is believed to be syayambhu, deriving currents of power (shakti) from within itself as against the other images and lingams that are ritually established and invested with mantra-shakti.
The idol of Mahakaleshwar is known to be dakshinamukhi, which means that it is facing the south. This is a unique feature, upheld by the tantric shivnetra tradition to be found only in Mahakaleshwar among the 12 jyotirlingas.
It just a saying that, the people who have the ruling power or are indirectly concerned with cannot stay in Ujjain but it does not say the same for the common man. Because there is only one ruler of Ujjain that is Baba Mahakal.
If the concerned person stays in Ujjain, it is believed that he will not stay in power for long.
History of Baba Mahakal Temple:
The temple complex was destroyed by Sultan Shas-ud-din Iltutmish during his raid of Ujjain in 1234-5.
The present structure was built by the Maratha general Ranoji Scindia in 1736 CE. Further developments and management was done by other members of his dynasty, including Mahadji Scindia (1730 – 1794) and Daulat Rao Scindia's wife Baiza Bai. (1827–1863). During the reign of Jayajirao Scindia (until 1886), major programs of the then Gwalior State used to be held at this temple.
After Independence the Dev Sthan Trust was replaced by the municipal corporation of Ujjain. Nowadays it is under the collectorate office of Ujjain district.
Mythological and Spiritual importance:
This city was called Ujjayini, and exists from the pre-Mahabharata Era. It was the capital of Avanti kingdom.
The city of Ujjain is considered the Greenwich of India due to the fact that the first meridian of longitude - the Tropic of Cancer passes through it - through the Jantar Mantar.
Ujjain has India's first observatory (or Vedh Shala) called Jantar Mantar. A total of 5 Jantar Mantars were built by Maharaja Jai Singh between 1724 & 1735, of which only the one at Ujjain is still functional.
It is the place where Lord Krushna along with Balrama and Sudama received his education from Maharshi Sandipani.