महाकालेश्वर मन्दिर
Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh · 23.1826°, 75.7682°
The Jyotirlinga of Time itself in Ujjain — ancient Avantika, seat of Vikramaditya and of Indian timekeeping on the old prime meridian. The linga is dakshinamukhi (south-facing), unique among the twelve; the pre-dawn bhasma aarti, anointing the lord with sacred ash, is among Hinduism's most sought rituals. The Mahakal Lok corridor (2022) re-monumentalised the precinct; the Simhastha Kumbh returns in 2028.
Mahakal is Ujjain's sovereign — by old custom no king may spend a night in the city, and even today governments avoid official overnight stays; time's lord alone rules here, standing beyond death for those who take his refuge.
Ujjain Junction; Indore airport ~55 km.
coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-26 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Maratha (Scindia)