Karbhareshwar /Karbheshwar Mahadev (73/84) Jail Rd, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
This Mahadev temple is situated on the right side in front of the Kalbhairav temple gate in Bhairavgarh on the road leading to Shri Vikrant Bhairav. On a platform 4-5 feet high from the ground, this temple is protected by railings with an open wall all around. In the middle, there is a three-stepped tiled gate with a sliding iron gate.
After climbing 3 stairs and entering the spacious sanctum sanctorum of about 150 square feet, a 1 feet high linga of about 2.5 feet circumference surrounded by a snake is installed in a round decorated brass vessel which is visible in black stone. Here, apart from conch and sun-moon, the figures of Swastika symbol, trumpet, Bilva leaves and Om are engraved on the water bearer.
At the entry in the raised marble niche, the idols of Ganesha on our left, Parvati in front and Kartikeya on the right are installed. Outside, Nandi of black stone is seated on a 1.25 feet high pedestal. The assembly hall is open. This temple had fallen into disrepair more than 15 years ago and the entire building was renovated before Simhastha in 2004.
While narrating the story of King Veerketu of Ayodhya to Goddess Parvati, Mahadev told that once in Mrigaya, he killed innumerable violent animals. At last he killed a Karabha i.e. a camel with a sharpened arrow. Karabha ran very fast, the king also chased him. Ultimately that Karabh disappeared into a forest. The king also reached the ashram of an ascetic in the same forest. That ascetic learned about his introduction and purpose from the king.
After listening to the entire story of Karabha from the king and meditating, the king ascetic said that Karabh has gone to Mahakalvan, where Mahadev is present in the form of Linga in the form of Karabh for the amusement of the gods. Once King Dharmadhwaj of Haihaykul was cursed by a demon, he became free from the curse by becoming a camel and attained the supreme position of Maheshwar by seeing this Linga in Mahakalvan. Thereafter King Karbha became incarnate. Hearing the statement of Vipra Rishabh, brave Ketu came to Mahakalvan and after seeing the Linga, he started ruling his capital without any hesitation.
By seeing Karbheshwar Linga, one gets more virtuous results than the virtues obtained from all the yagyas and all kinds of donations. By having darshan of Karbheshwar, the ancestors who are suffering in the animal world are liberated. By seeing it, man’s desired desires are fulfilled and in the end he attains the ultimate goal.
