Cricketer Virat Kohli and his actor wife Anushka Sharma were seen praying at the famous Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain. They were seen offering prayers to Lord Shiva. The duo are seen with a chandan tikka and seeking God's blessings. But do you know the significance of this temple? It is one of the foremost shrines of Lord Shiva.
Sharma is seen sporting a light pink sari and a demure, no-makeup look, while Kohli is seen in a white ensemble.
While it is tough to tell when it came into existence first but according to puranas, it was first set up by Prajapati Brahma. The temple is also mentioned in several Indian poetic texts. The temple, as per ancient texts was magnificent. It was built with stones but rested on wooden pillars. The King's palace was believed to be in its vicinity too. Kalidasa elaborates on the fascinating details of the temple.
The temple today is a three-storeyed structure. The lingams of Mahakalesvara, Omkaresvara and Nagachandresvara are placed in the lowest middle and upper parts of the temple. Visitors can only have a glimpse of Nagachandresvara on the occasion of Naga Panchami.
The temple also has a huge Kunda called Koti Tirtha, which is built in the sarvatobhadra style. This is considered very celestial.
The lingam of Mahakalesvara is big. The silver plated Naga Jaladhari and the inscribed and esoteric silver-plate covering the roof of the garbhagrha add extra grandeur to the shrine. Besides Jyotirlinga, attractive and small-sized images of Ganesa, Kartikeya and Paravati can be seen in the garbhagrha, states the temple's official website.
There are Nemnuk Pujaris, Pujaris and Purohits at the temple.