Bhairav Parvat Shakti Peeth Temple

The Bhairav Parvat Shakti Peeth in Madhya Pradesh is located on the Bhairav Hills on the banks of the River Shipra in the city of Ujjaini. Locals also call this temple Gadkalika. Ujjain is also known as ‘Sapta-puri’- one of the seven sacred cities. It is considered one of the holiest cities in the world due to the presence of several important temples in Ujjain. It is also famous for being the place where Lord Krishna, Balaram and Sudama received an education from the sage Rishi Sandipani.

The temple architecture of the Bhairav Parvat Shakti Peeth is unique: different coloured stone have been used in constructing it. In fact, the roof and walls of the temple have beautiful stone inscriptions. The idol of Devi Avanti is always adorned with a red sari as the colour red is considered sacred by married women in India.

History and Significance:
It is said that after the Sudarshan Chakra of Lord Shiva cut the burnt corpse of Ma Sati into fifty-two pieces, her elbow fell on the Bhairav Hills. The Mother is worshipped as Avanti in this temple and is protected by the Bhairav Lambkarna. Many say that it was not her elbow but rather her upper lips that fell there but that is highly debated.

Devi Avanti is worshipped in the Bhairav Parvat Temple and is protected by the Bhairav Lambakarna. Both are said to be manifestations of the divine energy that combine to form the main force that governs the universe. AdiShakti and Shiva fuse together to maintain balance in the universe and must always be together for goodness to prevail. ‘Avanti’ literally means modest and ‘Lambakarna’ refers to the long-eared one. Devi Avanti is also called Ma Avantika and MahaKali. Incidentally, ‘lambakarna’ is what Shiva-Parvati’s second son Ganesh is also called.

Temple Festivals:
Ujjain is famous for the Kumbh Mela that takes place once in every 12 years in Ujjain. Festivals specific to the temple include Navratri and MahaShivratri celebrations where a special bhog is prepared. Aratis are done in the temple everyday at 6 in the morning and 6 in the evening. The former is called Prabhat arati and the latter is referred to as Sandhyarati.

Other information:
Ujjain is well-connected by all means of transport. Indore, located at a distance of 52 km from Ujjain, is the nearest airport. Some of the other important temples located in Ujjain are Mahakaleshwar- famous for being one of the 12 jyotirlingas, Vikrant Bhaivav, Naraditya, Jata Bhadra Teerth, Ram Janardhan Temple and the reputed Mangalnath Temple where you will find a ShivLinga made of a special mineral called Dhatu Nirmita.