Mahakaal Lok Corridor: Experience ‘Shiva Lok’ On The Earth

India’s civilizational culture expresses its spirit and original thoughts. Even after the centuries of rule by invaders and their malicious efforts to ruin the culture of India, it still inherits its richness defining the ‘divya & Bhavya Bharat’. A glorious civilization is always identified by its monuments but even decades after independence, the undeveloped cultural heritage is reminiscent of the ‘Sultanate Era’. We still remember those decades of despair for the heritage of glorious India when the then Prime Minister disapproved of the presence of the then president at the reinstallation ceremony of Somnath temple. So today as the proud citizen of India that is Bharat, we applaud and laud when the Prime Minister of new India himself performs the ‘Shilanyaas’ (Ground Breaking Ceremony) of Shri Ram janmabhoomi temple at Ayodhya in an Indian cultural attire.

The new India today talks of technology with temples, drones with Dharma and aatmanirbharta with aarti. From Kedarnath to Kashi, Somnath to Kamakhya, Ayodhya to PRASAD and many more cultural heritage of great importance being gloriously rejuvenated reminds us of the era of Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar who once rejuvenated Indian civilizational heritage across the country.

Kaal is the only thing that is permanent. Whatever takes birth has to die and merge back into the infinite cosmos. Mahakal embodies that energy which is beyond time or death. It is permanent and ever present. The more you seek that energy the closer you stay true to your Dharma. The current government serving this great land of Bharat has taken upon itself a most pious task of ensuring that the followers and believers wanting to merge into the Rudra energy of the Mahakal temple at Ujjain do not face any hurdles or encumbrances at the physical level so that, they get to focus solely on their meta-physical pursuits. The unrelenting efforts by the Narendra Modi led government of aiding the collective consciousness of Bharat by rejuvenating not only the Mahakal Temple but also the Vishwanath Temple, Somnath Temple and many others encourages the citizenry to remain true to the path of Dharma.

Prime Minister Modi on October 11 inaugurated the 900 meter-long Mahakal Lok corridor built in the Mahakaleshwar Temple premises. This plan is officially called as Mahakal Maharaj Mandir Parisar Vistar Yojna. The rejuvenation of the temple and its surrounding premises includes the increasing of the current 2.82 hectares to 47 hectares which will be inclusive of the beautification of 17 hectares of the Rudrasagar lake. This endeavor is expected to increase annual footfall in the city of Ujjain.

The total cost of the Mahakal Lok project is Rs 856 crore with Rs 351 crore spent in the first phase. A circulation plan to reduce congestion has also been developed, keeping in mind the entry of visitors into the city and their movement up to the temple. A 900-metre pedestrian corridor has been constructed, connecting the plaza to the Mahakal temple. There are also 128 convenience points, eateries and shopping joints, florists, handicraft stores, etc. along this pedestrian corridor. This will be taking the experience of the devotees visiting the temple to the next level. This project will not only help the Central and State Governments to bring in new sources of revenue but it shall also help the common entrepreneur to revitalize his entrepreneurial spirit and shall also lay down the seeds of brining in several peripheral and related industries through the process of increase in demand because of this most pious project. The Mahaakal Temple in Ujjain has recorded a sharp rise in the number of visitors from 25000-40000 daily to 1.5-2 lakh daily which has also resulted as an immense boost for the local economy.

The corridor has 108 aesthetically ornate pillars made of intricately carved sandstones. This project undertaken by the Central Government in conjunction with the State Government and the Ujjain city District Administration does not merely glamorise the culture of Bharat but also depicts its true essence of inclusivity and generosity by showcasing the history of Lord Shiva, such as Shiv Vivah, Tripurasur Vadh, Shiv Puran, and Shiv Tandav Swaroop in the form of 108 murals and 93 statues. In the Garbhgriha of the Temple there are silver statues of Shri Ganesha, Shri Kartikeya and Maa Parvati. On the inner wall of the roof there is a Rudra Yantra which is also made up of silver and the colossal Jyotirling is situated right under this powerful rudra yantra. There is a silver plated Naga Jaladhari covering the Jyotirlinga.

What is more important is that the Government in furtherance of aiding the citizens of Bharat, has formulated a plan as to the next phase of this rejuvenation project by implementing a Phase-II of the Mahakal Corridor. This includes expansion of the eastern and northern fronts of the temple. It also includes development of various areas of Ujjain city, such as Maharajwada, Mahal Gate, Hari Phatak Bridge, Ramghat façade, and Begam Bagh Road. Buildings in Maharajwada will be redeveloped and connected to the Mahakal temple campus, while a heritage dharamshala and Kumbh museum will be built. The second phase is being developed with funding from Agence Francaise de Development under the City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain programme.

With the push of the Narendra Modi led government towards Digital India, The Mahakaleshwar Temple has also on the same lines initiated its online operations by allowing the devotees to book their ritualistic poojas and Prasad of the Great Mahakaleshmar Temple through the temple’s website. (https://shrimahakaleshwar.com/). Today, the temples of new India are technologically advanced, infrastructurally developed and spiritually as sound as they were since centuries.

It can now be said that the temples from our history have been rejuvenated and refurbished thereby not only making it easier for the citizens of Bharat to live their culture and experience their roots but also enables the people across the world to experience its spirituality. All these endeavors by the Narendra Modi led Government during the Amrit Kaal will bring the Suvarna Kaal (Golden Period) not only for the economic interests of Maa Bharti but also for the spriritual growth of her children that are the citizens of Bharat. I can only wait for the day when we as a society regain our pride in our culture and history for which I will be ever thankful to the leaders of today leading Bharat into an all-inclusive Suvarna Kaal.