Context
Recently, the Prime Minister inaugurated Shri Mahakal Lok at Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
- The Mahakaleshwar Temple is one of the 12 'jyotirlings' in the country and gets devotees throughout the year.
Key-points
- The “Mahakal Lok” over 900-meter-long corridor’s first phase was officially opened as part of the $856 million Mahakaleshwar Temple corridor development project.
- The cost to create the corridor was 316 crore.
- The old Rudrasagar Lake, which has also been revitalised as part of the development project around the historic Mahakaleshwar Temple, will be skirted by the Mahakal Lok.
- Two imposing gateways – Nandi Dwar and Pinaki Dwar – have been erected near the beginning of the corridor, which winds its way to the temple’s entrance and provides an aesthetic view along the way.
- A 108-pillar colonnade with artistically carved sandstones has been constructed.
- On the decorative pillars, artisans and artists primarily from Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Orissa have laboured.
- The path contains 108 stambhs depicting the dance form “Anand Tandav Swaroop '' of Lord Shiva.
- Various religious sculptures showing the life of Lord Shiva are also established along the Mahakal Path.
- The Mural wall along the Mahakal path is based on Shiva Purana stories including Birth of Ganesha, Daksha, Act of creation, and Story of Sati among others.
Background
- The temple in its present form was built by the Maratha general Ranoji Shinde in 1734 CE.
- Before Independence, the Devasthan Trust used to look after the temple.
- This was replaced by the municipal corporation of Ujjain post-Independence.
- The collectorate office of Ujjain district now manages the administration of the temple.
About Mahakal corridor
- Mahakal Maharaj Mandir Parisar Vistar Yojna is a plan for the expansion, beautification, and decongestion of the Mahakaleshwar temple and its adjoining area in Ujjain district.
- Under the plan, the Mahakaleshwar temple premise of around 2.82 hectares is being increased to 47 hectares, which will be developed in two phases by the Ujjain district administration.
- This will include the 17 hectares of Rudrasagar Lake.
Phases
- This will be developed in two phases by the Ujjain district administration.
- The first phase of the project entails development of Mahakal Lok Corridor with a visitor plaza having two entrances — Nandi Dwaar and Pinaki Dwaar.
- A 900-metre pedestrian corridor has been constructed, connecting the plaza to the Mahakal temple, dotted with murals and statues depicting stories related to Lord Shiva.
- The corridor, known as the Mahakal Lok, will skirt around the old Rudrasagar Lake and is touted as one of the longest of its kind in India.
- The second phase includes expansion of the eastern and northern fronts of the temple.
- It also includes development of various areas of Ujjain city, such as Maharajwada, Mahal Gate, Hari Phatak Bridge, Ramghat façade, and Begam Bagh Road.
Significance
- Once the inauguration is complete, the temple area will increase from 2.87 hectares to 47 hectares.
- It will also increase the holding capacity significantly.
- The project will also help in enriching the experience of pilgrims coming to the temple.
- It will also provide the pilgrims with world-class modern facilities.
- The project also aims to decongest the complete area and put special emphasis on conservation and restoration of heritage structures.
