Introduction
Bhairav Parvat is an important Shakthi Peeta. Here Devi Durga is worshipped as Maa Avantika and Lord Shiva is worshipped as Lambkarna. Sati’s upper lips fell here.
Location and other places of interest
Bhairav Parvat is located in the holy city of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. Bhairavparvat, adjoining Bhairav hills is on the eastern banks of River Shipra which is close to Ujjaini town.
Ujjain has good connectivity by all means of transport. Indore, which is 52 kms from Ujjain, is the nearest airport. There are several trains which connect to Ujjain from across the country. However, for people who take the road to reach Ujjain, it is best to take the Agra-Mumbai highway to reach Indore and from there to Ujjain.
Some of the important temples located in Ujjain are:
a) Mahakaleshwar is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas located in Ujjain.
b) Kal Bhairav is the guarding deity (Kshetra Palaka) of Ujjain. It is located on River Shipra. Other temples near Kal Bhairav temple are: Vikrant Bhairav and Naraditya. There is also a Patal Bhairav temple in the temple complex (located in patal) under the earth. The temple is huge, resembling a fort. Here wine is offered to god. The place is known for Vamachar or tantric practices.
c) Siddha vat is a holy fig tree. There are idols of Siddhanath and Saptamatrikas beneath the tree. It is said that Lord Shiva did Chuda Karma to his son Skanda, thus this place is called as Jata Bhadra teerta.
d) Mangal nath Temple is the temple of Mars. Here Mangalnath
Shiva Ling is made of a special mineral Dhatu nirmita. The idol of Bhoomeshwari Devi, mother of mangalnath is also present in the temple.
e) Ram Janardhan temple is another temple of Lord Rama and Krishna which is worth visiting.
History
Ujain, Ujjayini, Avanti, Avantikapuri are the other names of Ujjain. Avantikapuri is an ancient city of Malwa region in Madhya Pradesh. Ujjayini was once the capital of Avanti Kingdom from which the temple got its name as Avantika. Ujjain is considered as a holy city as there are several temples located here. It is also known as Sapta-puri, one of the sacred seven cities. The history of Ujjain dates back to 4th Century BC. The city was ruled by Chandragupta II. The city is also home to great scholars like Brahmagupta and Bhaskaracharya and literary gems like Kalidasa.
The temple architecture is unique, as stones of different colours are used in the construction of temple. The temple’s roofs and walls have beautiful stone inscriptions. Devi’s idol is kept in the temple which is always covered with red colour clothes.
Legend
Ujjain in ancient times was known as Ujjayini. There is a reference in Mahabharat where Ujjayini was the capital of Avanti Kingdom.
It is believed that Lord Krishna, Balaram and Sudama got education from Rishi Sandipani at Ujjain.
Festivals
Ujjain is famous for Kumba Mela which is held once in 12 years. However, festivals specific to goddess Avantika are Shivaratri and Navaratri which are celebrated with great fervour.
