Chyavaneshwar/Shri Chavaneshwar Mahadev (30/84) Indira Nagar, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

According to mythology, in ancient times, there was Chyavan, son of Maharishi Bhrigu, who performed rigorous penance on earth. He sat in penance for years on the banks of a river named Vitasta. Due to being engrossed in penance, his entire body was covered with dust and there were bulls nearby. Once upon a time, King Sharyati reached there while traveling in the forest with his family. The king’s daughter Sukanya along with her friends reached the penance place of sage Chyavan. There, two shining eyes were seen in the middle of the anthill made of dust and clay. Out of curiosity, Sukanya pricked those shining eyes with thorns due to which blood was seen coming out from the eyes.Sage Chyavan was deeply saddened by this act due to which diseases started spreading in the army of King Sharyati. After knowing everything, Sharyati came to know that her daughter Sukanya had pricked the eyes of Maharishi Chyavan. Then King Sharyati went to Maharishi Chyavan and apologized for his daughter’s misdeed. He handed over Sukanya to Maharishi Chyavana as his wife. Maharishi was also happy to have Sukanya as his wife as a result of which the diseases occurring in Sharyati’s kingdom stopped.

After some time, two Ashwinikumars came to Chyavan’s ashram. There he became mesmerized after seeing Sukanya. He asked Sukanya who are you? Sukanya said that she is the daughter of King Sharyati and wife of Maharishi Chyavan. Then Ashwini Kumar said to Sukanya that why are you serving your old husband? Accept either of us as your husband. Sukanya refused and started leaving from there. Then Ashwini Kumar said that we are the physicians of the gods. We can give your husband puberty if you bring him here. Sukanya went and told this to Maharishi Chyawan. Maharishi accepted this and approached Ashwini Kumar. Then Ashwini Kumar said that you should come down to bathe in this water with us. Then Maharishi also entered the water along with both Ashwinikumars. After some time, when they came out of the water, all three of them became one form full of youth. Maharishi was also very happy after getting good form and youth and said to Ashwini Kumar that you have made me old and young, I will make both of you drink nectar in the court of Indra. Hearing this, both of them Ashwini Kumar went to heaven and Maharishi started the Yagya to drink their nectar. Lord Indra found this condemnable. He told Maharishi that I will destroy you with a fierce thunderbolt. Frightened by such words of Indra, Maharishi Mahakal reached the forest and there he worshiped a divine Linga. Lord Shiva was pleased with his worship and blessed Maharishi Chyavan to protect him from Indra’s thunderbolt. Since then this Linga was called Chyavaneshwar.

By seeing Shri Chyavaneshwar Mahadev, sins are destroyed and fear etc. is removed. It is believed that by visiting them one attains Shivlok. The temple of Shri Chyavaneshwar Mahadev is situated near Idgah in Indira Nagar Marg.