Mahakaal—This year our hearts pulled us twice to the ancient city of Ujjain— a place where time slows, devotion deepens, and the presence of Lord Mahakaal permeates every breath. The journey itself felt guided, as if the divine had already prepared each moment for us.
Shree Maa had expressed a deep longing to have darshan of Mahakaal, and with the gracious support of Manish Pandit from Ujjain, our visits unfolded with an ease that felt nothing short of a blessing.
Swamiji’s Teachings:
A Light on the Path of Shiva
One of the greatest blessings of our journey has been the guidance and wisdom of Swamiji, whose teachings on Shiva have touched our hearts in ways words can hardly express. Every moment with him feels like sitting in the presence of ancient knowledge—alive, warm, and deeply transformative.
Swamiji teaches about Shiva not as a distant deity, but as a living presence within us.
He reminds us that Shiva is:
- The stillness within our breath
- The clarity behind our thoughts
- The strength that carries us through challenges
- The compassion that softens our hearts
Through his stories, explanations, and gentle guidance, Swamiji helps us understand that true devotion is not ritual—it is awareness, surrender, and love. He shows us that Shiva is not found only in temples, but in every moment of silence, in every act of kindness, and in every spark of truth within ourselves.
During our visits to Ujjain, watching Swamiji guide Shree Maa’s pujas and karmas at various temples made everything feel even more divine. His presence adds depth to every practice and turns every experience into a teaching.
We are endlessly grateful to Swamiji for his patience, devotion, and the way he walks the spiritual path with such humility and grace. His blessings have shaped our journey, and his teachings continue to illuminate our understanding of Shiva, life, and our own inner world.
To walk this path with him is a privilege. To learn from him is a blessing. And to be guided by him—always—feels like Shiva’s own grace.
What a joy to have Shree Maa providing a spiritual center from which all these teachings can take place.
The Sacred Arrival
The moment we reached Ujjain, we went directly to the Mahakaal Temple in the early morning hours—around 2 AM—to attend the revered Bhasma Aarti. This aarti is unlike any other religious practice in the world: an ancient, powerful expression where ashes from the cremation grounds are offered to the Shiva Lingam, symbolizing the transient nature of life and the eternal nature of consciousness.
Being there with Shree Maa and Swamiji made the experience even more profound. The vibrations, the chants, the sacred atmosphere—all wrapped around us like a divine embrace. It felt as though Mahakaal Himself was welcoming us.
A Special Offering: Abhishekam to Shree Maa’s Crystal Lingam set in a Golden Yoni.
Later we had the rare and unforgettable opportunity to offer abhishekam to Shree Maa’s own Crystal Lingam set in a Golden Yoni, who has been our constant traveling companion. Placing it right beside Mahakaal’s Lingam in the Main Shrine added a depth of sanctity in a puja we will remember forever. Devotees around us joined in the worship, and the entire temple seemed to resonate with blessings. Shree Maa prepared a mala made of silver with which to decorate the Mahakaal Shiva Lingam, and also offered a flower mala made from 1,008 white lotuses, and a beautiful special cloth for Lord Shiva.
Witnessing the Abhishekam, the pouring of water, milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, and sugar, accompanied by mantras flowing over both the lingams—was a moment suspended in time. The silent joy and tears on Shree Maa’s face, the presence of Swamiji and his continuous chanting, and the energy of Mahakaal and Shree Maa’s Golden Crystal Lingam created a memory etched deep into our hearts.
The Final Aarti of the Day
As the sun dipped below Ujjain, we returned to the temple for the evening aarti, the last aarti of the day. Each flame that rose felt like a prayer, and every sound of the conch echoed through our beings. In Ujjain Mahakaal is worshiped eight times a day, with one aarti during each pahar or period of time, marking the rhythm of devotion throughout every phase of the day and night.
To witness multiple aartis in one visit is a blessing. To witness them with Shree Maa and Swamiji is grace.
Mahakaal: The Eternal Presence
Mahakaal is not just the deity of Ujjain—He is the conqueror of time, the stillness behind all movement. Standing before Him brings a clarity that words can barely hold. Each trip with Swamiji and Shree Maa reminded us that surrender is not a loss—it is a return to our true nature.
Even though our experiences at the other temples in Ujjain deserve their own dedicated stories, we couldn’t help but share a small glimpse of the divine journey that unfolded alongside Shree Maa and Swamiji with Mahakaal.
Ujjain isn’t just a city—it’s a living mandala, vibrating with the presence of saints, deities, ancient temple rituals, and timeless blessings. Everywhere we went, the air felt soaked in devotion.
Brideshwar Temple
A serene and spiritually potent space, the Brideshwar temple holds an energy that gently settles the mind. When Shree Maa and Swamiji performed puja here, the temple seemed to shimmer with quiet strength. The aura carries a grounding force—perfect for deep inner worship.
Harsiddhi Temple
One of the Shaktipeethas, Harsiddhi Devi’s temple fills the heart instantly with power and motherly warmth. The towering deep-stambhas—lined with countless lamps—radiate an ancient beauty. Watching the lighting of over 2,000 lights here with Shree Maa and Swamiji was nothing short of mesmerizing.
Krishna Gurukul- Sandipani Ashram
A place of learning, devotion, and divine guidance, Krishna Gurukul holds a peaceful charm. Its atmosphere feels like stepping into a spiritual classroom where every breath teaches something. The karma and offerings done by Shree Maa and Swamiji added a sacred glow to the visit.
Bagalamukhi Temple
This temple carries a fierce, protective energy. Bagalamukhi Devi is known for removing obstacles and granting victory, and the moment you step inside, you feel that sharp, golden vibration. The puja here, guided by Shree Maa and Swamiji’s presence, felt powerful and transformative.
Kaal Bhairav
Kaal Bhairav, the fierce guardian of Ujjain, radiates an energy that is both protective and deeply awakening. Standing before Him, you instantly feel a surge of strength—as if every fear quietly dissolves in His presence. Known as the vigilant protector of Mahakaal’s city, Kaal Bhairav teaches courage, clarity, and fearlessness to all who come with devotion. His temple carries a raw, ancient power, and even a brief visit leaves your heart feeling guarded, blessed, and spiritually recharged.
The Divine Aroma of Ujjain
If there is one thing every pilgrim remembers, it is this: Ujjain smells divine.
The entire town carries a fragrance of incense, flowers, temple lamps, fresh prasad, and sacred ash. It’s as if the very air is infused with centuries of prayers. You don’t just walk through Ujjain—you breathe devotion.
And once you breathe it in, you fall in love.
There is something magnetic about this ancient city. The calmness along the ghats, the echo of mantras at every corner, the temples standing proudly through time: all of it pulls you back to Ujjain again and again. You feel an irresistible desire to return again and again, as if Mahakaal Himself keeps calling you home.
