According to the latest news, the ‘Shri Mahakal Lok’ corridor’s first phase in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh was inaugurated by the Prime Minister. This follows significant improvements at the Vishwanath temple in Varanasi and the Kedarnath shrine in Uttarakhand, making the Mahakal temple the third ‘jyotirlinga’ site to undergo a major upliftment exercise. With an estimated cost of Rs 800 crore, the Mahakal corridor is four times the size of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor.
About the Shri Mahakal Lok Corridor
The Mahakal Maharaj Mandir Parisar Vistar Yojna is aimed at the expansion, beautification, and decongestion of the Mahakaleshwar temple and its surrounding area in Ujjain district. The premises of the Mahakaleshwar temple, which currently spans around 2.82 hectares, is being expanded to 47 hectares over two phases led by the Ujjain district administration. This includes the 17 hectares of Rudrasagar lake.
This project is projected to boost the city’s annual footfall from the current 1.50 crore to nearly three crores.
First Phase of the Project
The visitor plaza – one feature of the project’s first phase – can accommodate up to 20,000 pilgrims at a time. It has two entrances, the Nandi Dwaar and the Pinaki Dwaar. A circulation plan designed to reduce congestion and regulate visitors’ movement up to the temple is also included in this phase.
In addition, a 900-metre pedestrian corridor linking the plaza to the Mahakal temple features 108 murals and 93 statues that depict stories related to Lord Shiva. Along this pedestrian corridor are 128 convenience points, eateries, shopping outlets, florists, and handicraft stores.
Second Phase of the Project
The project’s second phase includes the expansion of the temple’s eastern and northern fronts and the development of areas in Ujjain city such as Maharajwada, Mahal Gate, Hari Phatak Bridge, Ramghat façade, and Begam Bagh Road.
Buildings in Maharajwada will be reconnected to the Mahakal temple campus, with a heritage dharamshala and Kumbh museum also being built. This second phase is being developed with funds from Agence Francaise de Development (AFD) under the City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain (CITIIS) programme.
The Significance of Shri Mahakal Lok Corridor
The corridor carries significant religious value since the temple is believed to be governed by Lord Shiva himself, known here as ‘Mahakaleshwar’ or ‘the Lord of time’. The temple is known to have been constructed by Lord Brahma and lies alongside the holy river Kshipra.
Unique Placement of Jyotirlinga
Among the 12 jyotirlingas – which are considered the most sacred abodes of Shiva, the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Ujjain is unique as it is the only one facing the south. All other jyotirlingas face east. People often worship Mahakaleshwar to prevent untimely death.
Ancient References
The Mahakal temple has been referred to in many ancient Indian poetic texts. Kalidasa, in his 4th-century work ‘Meghadutam’, described the temple as stone-founded, with a wooden pillar ceiling.
Historical Importance of Ujjain City
Known as Avantika in the 6th and 7th centuries BC, Ujjain city was a primary learning center for Hindu scriptures. It has been home to famed astronomers and mathematicians like Brahmagupta and Bhaskaracharya. As per the ‘Surya Siddhanta’, an early text on Indian astronomy, Ujjain is geographically situated where the Tropic of Cancer intersects the zero meridian of longitude.
