Mahakal is the only jyotirlinga site in India facing the south, while all the others face east. Ujjain is also known as the Greenwich of India. It is located at a spot where the zero meridian of longitude (Madhyarekha) and Tropic of Cancer (Karkavrutta) intersect. Ujjain’s connection to astronomy shows how the temple is connected to Mahakal, the god of time.
The "Shivling" in the temple faces south as the south is believed to be the direction of death.
One of the major attractions of the temple is the ‘Bhasm Aarti.’ The rituals performed during the aarti seem very unique to the visitors. It begins at 4 am daily and can be attended by anyone. Before the aarti, the process of bathing and decorating the idol begins followed by drawing a face of “divinity” on it.
It is written in the Puranas that it was first established by Prajapita Brahma. This magnificent temple is built with stones along with it rested on wooden pillars.
The present five-storeyed temple was built by Maratha General, Ranoji Shinde in 1734.
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