The Avanti Shaktipeeth or Bhairav Parvat Temple (Kal Bhairav Temple) is located at Bhairavparvat, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh India. Bhairavparvat, adjoining Bhairav hills is on the eastern banks of River Shipra which is close to Ujjaini town. The temple is in a stunning location on Bhairavparvat, near the Bhairav hills and the Shipra River, not far from Ujjaini town.

Ujjain, also known as Ujjayini, Avanti, and Avantikapuri, is a historic city in the Malwa region of central India. It is located on the eastern bank of the Shipra or Kshipra River. It is currently a part of Madhya Pradesh. Ujjain Locale and Ujjain Division are focused on it in terms of regulation. The holy site is dedicated to a divine force known as “Goddess Durga,” who is revered as “Maa Avanti or Avantika” by many Hindu believers.

Story Behind Avanti Shaktipeeth

The goddess of Dakshayani, Sati, Parvati, or Durga—Hinduism’s most important woman and most powerful deity—is called Shakti. Durga Devi, Mahakali, and Gowri are the three main manifestations of Shakti, the power goddess. She is Adi Shakti’s avatar.

Sati was the Prajapati Daksha’s daughter, and she married Lord Shiva despite Her father’s wishes. Prajapati Daksha once put together a massive yagya, but he didn’t call his daughter and son-in-law. Sati was very saddened by Her father’s actions. When she got there, her father ignored the Sati and insulted her. She could not bear the insult of his husband (Lord Shiva) and she jumped into the fire of Yagya and committed suicide. She passed away, but her body didn’t burn. Lord Shiva had taken His Virabhadra Rupa out of rage. Daksha’s head was cut off by him, but in the end, He forgave him by bringing him back to life.

Lord Shiva, devastated, had taken Sati’s body and wandered the universe. Finally, Lord Vishnu used His Chakra to break the Sati’s body into pieces. Each body part transformed into Shakti Pitha. The temple had emerged where the body part had fallen to the ground. In order to safeguard the Shakti Pitha, Lord Shiva created 51 Bhairava for each one.

Out of those 51 parts, from which the ‘Upper Lip’ of Sati fell to this place. Here Sati is called Avanti or maa Avantika and Lord Shiva is called Lambakarna. In historical times the city was called Ujjayini. As mentioned in the Mahabharata epic, Ujjayini was the capital of the Avanti Kingdom and has been the Prime Meridian for Hindu geographers since the 4th century BCE. So this shaktipeeth is named after Maa Avanti.

History of Avanti Shaktipeeth

In the past, the city was known as Ujjayini. The Avanti Kingdom’s capital, Ujjayini, was referenced in the Mahabharata epic and has served as the Prime Meridian for Hindu geographers ever since the fourth century BCE. The Kumbh Mela, a significant celebration that is celebrated all over the world, is held annually in Ujjain, one of the seven faraway urban settlements that the Hindus refer to as “Sapta Puri.”

As such, there are no records of when, who, or what built this temple. However, it is certain that it dates back to the 4th century B.C. when Ujjain was part of the well-known “Avanti Kingdom.” This temple was named entirely after this kingdom, and it is said to have served as the kingdom’s most important holy site at the time. The Avanti Devi temple is also mentioned in the Mahabharata. Locals, on the other hand, will undoubtedly be able to provide visitors to this temple with information about the temple’s history and existence.

The architecture of Avanti Shaktipeeth

The temple is built with a special set of colourful rocks. The wall and roof of the sanctuary are made with heavenly shakes and present a picture ideal view to the travellers. The temple is the site of daily prayers and other rituals.

In garbha gudi, we find the goddess Avanti icon extending her tongue. Gad Kalika maa is portrayed as the goddess of graha kalika in the Devi Bhagavatam. The Skanda Purana king claims that Ashoka wed the city’s bride and established Avanthi as his ruling capital. Additionally, Ujjain refers to the birthplace of the Jain religion. Ruler Sudhanva changed his religion to Jain and changed the name of Avanti to Ujjain.

Facts about Avanti Shaktipeeth

• The holy place is dedicated to a divine power “Goddess Durga”, worshipped by a large number of Hindu devotees as “Maa Avanti or Avantika”. It is believed that Devi Sati’s ‘Upper Lip’ fell here.
• This peeth is located near Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh at the Bhairav hills on the banks of the Shipra River and it is among the 51 shaktipeeth temples.
• Lord Shiva is worshipped as ‘Lambakarna’. The idol of Devi Avanti is always adorned with a red sari as the colour red is considered sacred by married women in India.
• People Worship the Goddess for the fulfilment of their wishes, to gain prosperity, and also visit this temple to seek fulfilment of the following: Progeny, Delay in wedding proposals
• It is also the Temple to Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, among the twelve Jyotirlinga Shrines to Lord Shiva, and is also the place where Lord Krishna came for learning with Balarama and Sudhama from Maharshi Sandipani.
• The temple is nestled inside the natural environment of Bhairava Parvati. The murti of the Goddess is covered with a red garment and one can see her protruding tongue.

Festivals In Avanti Shaktipeeth

• Durga Puja. (Winter) – Devotees celebrate Navaratri at this temple in the month of Ashwin (Sep-Oct).
• Navaratri. (Summer) – They celebrate other Navaratri in the fortnight of the Chaitra (March-April). Every nine days they worship Navadurga (nine Durgas).
• Diwali – Diwali is one of the most admired and auspicious festivals in the town.
• Mahashivratri– A grand fair is organized at the Avanti Shaktipeeth during the occasion of Maha Shivratri.
• Ujjain is well-known for lots of festivals and the Kumbh Mela. Shri Avanti Devi temple is also part of the celebration that is carried on in Ujjain.

How to Reach Avanti Shaktipeeth

Avanti Shaktipeeth also known as Ujjain Mahakali Temple, is one among the 51 Shakti Peethas and is located at Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh.

By Air: Indore is the nearby airport to Ujjain and it is 52 kilometres

By Railway: The Nearest railway station is Ujjain.

Nearest Bus Station/Cabs: Ujjain is well attached to rest of the India and people can have all means of transport to come here. There are many public and private vehicles available to reach Bhairav Parvat Temple in Ujjain Madhya Pradesh.

Read Also- Aparna Shaktipeeth or Bhabanipur Shaktipeeth