Mahakaal Corridor Project - All you need to know about the grand initiative

 

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (Oct 11) dedicated Shri Mahakaal Lok Corridor in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain to the nation, after a thorough inspection of the project, by himself. The total cost of Phase I of the project is around Rs 850 Crore. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was also present on the occasion. PM Modi started his visit to Ujjain that was aimed at the Mahakaal Lok Project, by performing a puja at the sacred Shri Mahakal temple.

 

 

 

 

 

According to Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the Phase-I of the 'Mahakaal Lok' project will help in enriching the experience of pilgrims visiting the temple by providing them with world-class modern amenities. "Project aims to decongest the entire area and also put special emphasis on conservation and restoration of heritage structures. Under the project, the temple precinct will be expanded nearly seven times. The total cost of the entire project is around Rs 850 crore. The existing footfall of the temple, which is currently around 1.5 Crore per annum, is expected to be doubled. Development of the project has been planned under two phases," said the PMO.

 

 

 

The Mahakaal Path contains 108 stambhs (pillars) which depict Anand Tandav Swaroop (Dance form) of Bhagwan Shiva. Many religious sculptures depicting the life of Lord Shiva are installed along the Mahakaal Path. The mural wall along the Path is based on Shiva Purana stories such as the Act of creation, the Birth of Ganesha, Story of Sati and Daksha among others. The Plaza area, which is spread over 2.5 hectares, is surrounded by a lotus pond and contains the statue of Shiva along with fountains. The entire premise will be monitored 24x7 by Integrated Command and Control Centre with the help of artificial intelligence and surveillance cameras.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Mahakaleshwar temple of Ujjain is one of the 12 famous Jyotirlingas in India. Under the Shri Mahakal Maharaj Temple Complex Expansion Project, the temple area is planned to be increased by eight times to 23.05 hectares. Folklore suggests that the temple’s Mahakaal Lingam is self-manifested or Swayambhu and unlike any other jyotirlingas in the country, the idol of Mahakaleshwar faces south. The bhasma-aarti is the first ritual conducted at the temple in the morning to wake the god, when oil is applied on the lingam and an offering of fire is made to him. The sacred temple is counted among 18 Maha Shakti Peeth in India.

 

 

 

The holy Mahakaleshwar temple in its present form was built by the Maratha General Ranoji Shinde in 1734 CE. However, the earliest mentioning of the temple is seen in the Puranas, where it has been stated that Prajapita Brahma built it.

 

 

 

 

The earliest mentioning of a temple being constructed at the place suggests that the first temple at Mahakaleshwar was built in 6th century CE by Kumarasena, the son of a former king of Ujjain, Chandpradyot. It was further reconstructed in the 12th century CE under King Udayaditya and King Naravarman. And it was finally Maratha commander Ranoji Shinde under Peshwa Bajirao I, who renovated the temple in 18th century CE, the version that is visited by crores of pilgrims today.

 

Before Independence, the Devasthan Trust used to look after the temple which was replaced by the Municipal Corporation of Ujjain, after Independence. Presently, the collectorate office of Ujjain district now manages the administration of the temple.

 

 

  

 

 

 

The architectural styles that observed in the construction of the Mahakaleshwar temple are the Maratha, Bhumija and Chalukya styles. The beautiful walls of the grand temple depict detailed sculptures of Goddess Parvati -- the consort of Bhagwan Shiva, in the north, Shiva's sons, Ganesha in the west and Kartikeya in the east; along with Shiva's vahana, Nandi in the south.

 

The ancient Hindu temple has five levels, where on the second floor above the Mahakaleshwar linga, resides the Omkareshwara linga. Above, on the third floor of the temple an image of Nagchandreshwar is observed. One of the five levels of the temple is underground. Besides, the temple has a tall Shikhara, with intricate and beautiful carvings.

 

 

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