Sthala Mahātmyam
Mahakaleshwar at Ujjain, on the banks of the Kshipra river, is the presiding Jyotirlinga where Shiva reigns as Mahakal, the Great Lord of Time and Death. Uniquely its lingam is svayambhu (self-manifested) and dakshinamukhi, facing south, the direction of death, symbolising Shiva's mastery over mortality; devotees believe he guards them from untimely death. The sthala legend of the Shiva Purana recounts how a demon named Dushana terrorised the pious city of Avantika (Ujjain), until Shiva burst forth in a blazing form to destroy him and remained as Mahakal. The temple is celebrated for its Bhasma Aarti, performed before dawn, in which the lingam is bathed with sacred ash, traditionally signifying the impermanence of the body and non-dual truth. Ujjain is also counted among the seven Mokshapuri cities. Maha Shivaratri is the grandest festival, while the month of Shravan, Nag Panchami at the Nagchandreshwar shrine and the royal Sawari processions are also prominent.
