This holiest Jyotirling is in Ujjain city of Madhya Pradesh. Ujjain situated on the banks of river Punyasila Kshipra was famous in ancient times as Ujjaini, it was also called Avantikapuri. It is one of the most sacred saptapuris of India. The glory of Mahakal Jyotirling has been described in full detail in Mahabharata, Shiv Purana, and Skanda Purana.
The story of this Jyotirlinga is described in the Puranas as follows- King Chandrasen used to rule in Ujjayini in ancient times. He was the ultimate Shiva devotee. One day a five-year-old cowboy named Shrikar was passing by with his mother. Seeing the king's worship of Shiva, he was very astonished and curious. He himself became eager to worship Shiva with similar materials.
Not being able to get the means of material, while returning, he picked up a piece of stone from the way. After coming home, installing the same stone in the form of Shiva, started worshiping him with flowers, sandalwood, etc. with utmost devotion. Mother came to call her for food, but she was in no way ready to leave the worship and get up. In the end, the mother frantically picked up that piece of stone and threw it away. Being very sad because of this, the child started crying loudly calling Lord Shiva. In the end, he fell down crying.
Seeing this devotion and love of the child towards himself, Lord Shiva became very pleased. As soon as the child came to his senses and opened his eyes, he saw that in front of him stood a very grand and huge temple made of gold and gems. Inside that temple stands a very luminous, bhaswar, stunning Jyotirlinga. The child was filled with happiness and joy and started praising Lord Shiva.
When the mother got this news, she ran and hugged her beloved Lal. After reaching there, King Chandrasen also appreciated the devotion and accomplishment of that child. Gradually a large crowd gathered there. In this, Hanumanji appeared at that place. He said- 'Humans! Lord Shankar is the first among the deities to give quick fruits. Pleased with the devotion of this child, he has bestowed upon him such a fruit, which the great sages and sages could not attain even by penance for crores of births.
In the eighth generation of this gopa-child, the godly soul Nandgopa will be born. In Dwapara Yuga, Lord Vishnu will take Krishna incarnation and perform various pastimes there. Hanumanji disappeared after saying this. At that place, worshiping Lord Shiva according to the rules, in the end, Shrikar Gopa and King Chandrasen went to Shivdham.
Another story about this Jyotirlinga is told as follows- Once upon a time in Avantikapuri lived a very brilliant Brahmin, Vedapathi Taponishtha. One day a tyrannical demon named Dushan came there to disturb his penance. He became very powerful after getting a boon from Brahmaji. There was uproar all around because of his atrocities.
Seeing the Brahmin in trouble, Lord Shankar, who did the welfare of the soul, appeared there. He burnt that cruel tyrannical demon to ashes with a mere shout. The Lord appeared there with a hum and hence his name was Mahakal. That is why the most sacred Jyotirlinga is known as 'Mahakal'. Seeing this devotion and love of the child towards himself, Lord Shiva became very pleased. As soon as the child came to his senses and opened his eyes, he saw that in front of him stood a very grand and huge temple made of gold and gems. Inside that temple stands a very luminous, bhaswar, stunning Jyotirlinga. The child was filled with happiness and joy and started praising Lord Shiva.
When the mother got this news, she ran and hugged her beloved Lal. After reaching there, King Chandrasen also appreciated the devotion and accomplishment of that child. Gradually a large crowd gathered there. In this, Hanumanji appeared at that place. He said- 'Humans! Lord Shankar is the first among the deities to give quick fruits. Pleased with the devotion of this child, he has bestowed upon him such a fruit, which the great sages and sages could not attain even by penance for crores of births.
In the eighth generation of this gopa-child, the godly soul Nandgopa will be born. In Dwapara Yuga, Lord Vishnu will take Krishna incarnation and perform various pastimes there. Hanumanji disappeared after saying this. At that place, worshiping Lord Shiva according to the rules, in the end, Shrikar Gopa and King Chandrasen went to Shivdham.
Another story about this Jyotirlinga is told as follows- Once upon a time in Avantikapuri lived a very brilliant Brahmin, Vedapathi Taponishtha. One day a tyrannical demon named Dushan came there to disturb his penance. He became very powerful after getting a boon from Brahmaji. There was uproar all around because of his atrocities.
Seeing the Brahmin in trouble, Lord Shankar, who did the welfare of the soul, appeared there. He burnt that cruel tyrannical demon to ashes with a mere shout. The Lord appeared there with a hum and hence his name was Mahakal. That is why the most sacred Jyotirlinga is known as 'Mahakal'.
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