Mahakaleshwar temple is the Third of the 12 Jyotirlingams. It is located in the ancient historic city of Ujjain besides the Rudra Sagar Lake. The temple is so called because Lord Shiva appeared here in a terrifying form of “Mahakal” The presiding deity, Shiva in the lingam form is believed to be Swayambhu, deriving currents of power (Shakti) from within itself as against the other images and lingams that are ritually establisdhed and invested with mantra-shakti.
According to belief, 33 crore Gods reside in Mahakal premises. Adorned by Hanuman, Shiva, Devi, Navgraha, Radha-Krishna, Ganesha temples, the premises evokes vibrant spiritual feelings. Mahakal is the only temple among Dwadash Jyotirlingas, which has so many temples in its premises. Mahakal premises is also referred as home of gods. There are more than 42 temples in Mahakal temple premises. This include Lakshmi Narsimha, Riddhi-Siddhi Ganesha, Vitthal Pandharinath Temple, SriramDarbar Temple, Avantika Devi, Chandradityeshwar, Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Garbhagriha, Omkareshwar Mahadev, and Nagchandreshwar Temple among others.