While Ujjain is best known for the Mahakaleshwar shrine, one of the 12 jyotirlingas and is the prime attraction for pilgrims visiting the city, the place boasts much more for the visitors.
Though Ujjain is home to a large number of temples and religious sites,it is also a popular tourist destination in Madhya Pradesh because of its religious significance. It is one of India’s four sacred cities, where the famous Hindu festival ‘Kumbh Mela’ is held every 12 years.
During my recent trip to Ujjain I had the opportunity to visit most of the temples. I found two of them very interesting for the mythology and practices followed in these temples. While Mangalnath Temple is believed to be the birst place of planet Mars (Mangal), Kal Bhairav Temple is where liquor is offered to the Lord. A large number of tourists, including foreigners, visit this wonderful destination to enjoy the sight of these magnificent temples and other places of worship that add to Ujjain’s beauty. Ujjain, as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Madhya Pradesh, is an excellent choice for religious tourism in India.
This magnificent town, also known as Ujain, Ujjayini, Avanti, and Avantikapuri, is located on the eastern bank of the Shipra River. It houses the most beautiful temples and shrines in the country, as well as other historic buildings that represent the great work of the Gupta dynasty, which has given its best to the city. The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga shrine is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ujjain, drawing visitors from all over the world to see the best of this historical city.
But, here in this post I shall talk about the very interesting Mangalnath Temple.
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Post Contents
Mythology of Mangalnath temple
According to Matsya Purana, Mangalnath is the birthplace of Mars. It is said that a demon named Andhakasur had a boon from Lord Shiva that hundreds of demons would be born from the drops of his blood. Due to this boon, Andhakasur started creating havoc on the earth. On this everyone prayed to Lord Shiva. He decided to fight with Andhakasur to free everyone from his tyranny. A terrible war ensued between the two. Lord Shiva’s sweat started flowing in this war, due to whose heat the earth was torn apart and Mars was born from it. This newly born planet Mars absorbed the droplets of blood produced from the demon’s body. For this reason, the color of Mars is considered red.
This temple is very old but the credit for its restoration goes to the Scindia royal family. Actually, Lord Shiva is seated in this temple in the form of Mangalnath. In the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, Lord Shiva is installed in the form of a Shivling. Although the entire Ujjain is a great center of eternal knowledge, both the Mahakal temple and Mangalnath are also considered centers of astronomical studies.
History of Mangalnath Temple
It is said that this temple is centuries old. It was rebuilt by the Scindia royal family. The worship of Mangal (Mars) performed here has special significance. Mangalnath is worshiped here in the form of Shiva by the devotees. On Tuesdays.devotees throng this temple in large numbers who come from far and wide. What makes this temple even more important is that this is the only temple dedicated to Lord Mangal in the entire world. Thus,, worship in Ujjain is given special significance as the city is believed to be the birthplace of Mangal Graha or Mars. Though the temple is said to be centuries old, It was rebuilt during the reign of the Scindia royal family. As Ujjain is known as the City of Lord Mahakal, the idol of Lord Mangalnath is worshiped here in the form of Lord Shiva.
Lord Mangal has a place in the Navagrahas. It is also known as ‘Angarka’ and ‘Khuj.’ Mars is a symbol of strength, valour, and courage in Vedic mythology, and is considered the protector of religion. Mangal Dev is shown with a four-handed trident and a mace.Worshiping Lord Mangal brings peace by pacifying planet Mars and alleviating debt and wealth. The gemstone of Mars is coral. Mars is also regarded as the guardian of the south.
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What is Mangal dosh?
Some people have a heavy Mars in their horoscope, which is known as Mangal dosh or Mangalik in astrology. Mangal dosh is a defect caused by an inauspicious Mars in any house of the horoscope, which changes its position and position in the horoscope. Such a condition can cause problems in different areas of a person’s life.This condition is considered very inauspicious for marriage, in the view of astrology and a Manglik should marry another Manglik only.
Mangal dosh is such a strange situation that anyone who has it in his horoscope will face situations such as tension and scatter in relationships, any untoward and unpleasant incident in the house, unnecessary obstacles and inconvenience at work. So, in order to keep their malevolent planets at bay, those who have Mangal dosh use to worship at Mangalnath temple, as Ujjain is known as the mother of Mars in the Puranas. Mangal Bhaat Puja is performed in Ujjain itself for redressal, and one gets the most merit and fruits.
What is Mangal Bhaat Puja?
Mangal Bhaat Puja is so named, because the main ingredient of the puja is cooked rice or bhaat as it is called in many Indian languages. In this puja rice is offered to Mangalnath as it is considered cool in nature. Due to the cooling effect of rice Mangalnath gets peace and the Lord blesses those who worship him with rice. Due to cooling, the ill effects of Mangal are reduced automatically.
Puja method
The mangal bhaat puja begins by worshiping Ganesh and Gauri, followed by Navagraha puja. After that, worship of Kalash and Shivalinga form, Panchamrita worship and Abhishek are done by chanting Vedic mantras. This follows aarti and worship is performed by offering rice (rice) to the Lord. It is believed that one who performs the puja gets special auspicious results. Bhaat Puja is an effective and quick remedy for Mangal dosh correction.
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Uniqueness of Mangalnath Temple
- This is the only one temple in the world, which is dedicated to lord Mangal. and also this is the only temple in India where worshiping for Mangal dosh is organized.
- Karka Rekha is said to pass through the center of the this temple Mangalnath temple. it is said that the first Meridian passes through the earth through here.
- This Mangalnath temple is one of the 84 Mahadev temples of Ujjain City
- The Characteristic feature of this temple is that you will find a goat instead of usual Nandi in the temple.
Facts you must know before visiting Mangalnath Temple
- The govt. entry fee for puja is Rs.150/- only. The pandit charges are Rs.1300/-, Rs,2500/-, Rs.3100/-, Rs.5500, Rs.11000/-. Except for Rs.1300/- (basic puja) all other pujas starting from Rs.3100/- to Rs.11000/- are basically the same. It’s a huge scam by the local pandits.
- In my opinion one should go in decent clothes (there’s no dress code in general) in the morning. Buy Rs.150/- ticket and you’ll get a sticky rice ball that you will offer to the Shivling and pray. You can also offer a pack of sweets. Offer some dakshina to the pandits standing inside the sanctum and you’re done.
- The temple is situated in a remote area outside the Ujjain city limits. You may not find an Ola/Uber for your return journey. Thus, get a local auto and book him for the entire trip and make sure to get his phone number. We paid Rs.400/- for the trip when we visited Ujjain earlier this month.
- There’s no restaurants nearby as mentioned the area is pretty remote. After your trip is over, come back to Shree Mahakal Mandir area (In front of Apna sweets shop) — all restaurants are lined up there.
- Don’t fall in the trap of pandits offering to perform ‘Kalsaarp Puja’, This is another scam. This scam generally takes place in Ram ghat. The fee is around Rs.3100/-.
The real ‘Kalsaarp Puja’ is usually done in Trimbakeshwar near Nashik, Maharashtra.
- Avoid going during the rainy season. The temple is known to get flooded by the Shipra river and no puja takes place during those times here. Also avoid going on Tuesdays as the temple is very much crowded because people throng the temple in large numbers.
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Travel Tips
Open Time : 5:00 AM TO 10:00 PM
Entry : free
Address : Mangalnath temple, Mangalnath Mandir, Agar Rd, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh 456010, India
Website : https://mangalnathmandir.org
Phone : 098266 69966