The original temple was destroyed during Muslim invasions, and the temple was rebuilt recently by the Sindhias in the traditional Central Indian style.It is a five-storeyed structure at the south end of the city. The curved superstructure is adorned with motifs on all sides, rising above the colonnaded porches. Along the walls of the corridors in the temple rest old statues and sculptures, while in the courtyard lie ruined ancient shrines. The storeys are ornamented with pierced balustrades, and the balconies have richly decorated roofs reminiscent of the Rajput style of architecture. Screens and pavilions are combined with marble colonnades leading to the linga within the sanctuary, making Mughal architecture come alive right in the heart of this Hindu temple. The Mahakaleshwar Temple is indeed a cherished site and a sculptural delight as well.
One of the rituals performed in this temple is the
Bhasm Arti that involves smearing the linga with hot ashes from the burning
ghats (cremation grounds). Shiva is believed to dwell in cremation
grounds, and the ash-smearing ceremony is a homage to the Destroyer
of the Universe himself. This form of worship is symbolic of Death
and Life being inseparable, an idea that
is inherent to most of
the Hindu schools of thought. The idol of
MahakaleshwarTemple is called Dakshinamurtias it faces south (dakshin - south,
and murti - idol). The idols of Ganesha, Parvati and Kartikeya
are installed in the west, north and east of the sanctum sanctorum.
The idol of Nagchandreshwar is open for darshan only on the day
of Nagpanchami. On Mahashivaratri, there takes place a huge fair near the
temple, and worship goes on throughout the night. The Mahakal
dominates the life of the people and the city
so much that even in the midst of the busy routine of everyday preoccupations,
it provides an unbreakable link with past traditions.
Places of Interest
Chintaman Ganesh - The temple is built across the river Shipra on the Fatehabad railway line. The Ganesh idol enshrined here is supposed to be swayambhu - born of itself. The temple itself is believed to be of considerable antiquity. Riddhi and Siddhi, the consorts of Ganesha, are seated on either side of Ganesha. The artistically carved pillars in the assembly hall date back to the Paramara period. Worshippers throng to this temple because the deity here is traditionally known as Chintaharan Ganesh meaning "the assurer of freedom from worldly anxieties".
