To the south of Ujjain - an ancient Indian city, situated is the great Mahakal Temple which hosts one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of the supreme god Mahadev. Lord Shiva incarnates here as Baba Mahakaleswar. Near to the Bank of holy river Shipra, this shrine is said to be the most sacred abode of Shiva. The presiding deity, Shiva in the lingam form is believed to be Swayambhu which means self originated. The temple of Mahakaleshwar with its shikhar soaring high into the sky, evokes a primordial glory shining even today. The temple appears with a majestic reverence, an imposing façade against the skyline of the city of Ujjain. The Mahakal dominates the life of the city and its people, even in the midst of the busy routine of modern preoccupations, and provides an unbreakable link with ancient Hindu traditions.