Mankamneshwar Mahadev/Shree Kameshwar Mahadev Temple(13/84) Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

Mankamneshwar Mahadev Location is situated at Gandharva Ghat after climbing about 6-7 stairs near the old Chhoti Rapat on the banks of river Pavani Maa Kshipra in Ujjain. A little behind this temple, out of the eighty-four Mahadev, the twentieth Mahadev Shri Pratihareshwar Mahadev Temple and the seventy-ninth Mahadev Shri Duddharsheshwar Mahadev Temple are also present.

Shri Mankamaneshwar Shivalinga is four inches high and is situated in the middle of the north facing water reservoir which is about 3 feet wide. In Jaladhari, a brass serpent appears to be coming towards Shivalinga. On an old and black stone about four and a half feet high, near the west facing entrance, on the left side, Goddess Parvati, the mother of the world,

In front, along with Gauri Nandan Ganesh, Dev Senapati Kartikeyaji is also seated on a 4 inches high pedestal.

Here tiles have been installed on the walls and floor of the temple. Nandi Maharaj of marble is seated between four ancient black stone pillars in about 250 square feet of open space.

Once upon a time, Mother Parvati prayed to Lord Shiva to narrate the story of her divine Shivling Mankamaneshwar, then Mahadev Ji started the story from Mother Parvati –

Once upon a time Brahmaji was meditating on the wishes of his people. Then a very beautiful child appeared in front of them. Seeing the child, Brahmaji was very happy and he named the child Kandarpa. He followed Kandarpa with love. Once Kandarpa asked Brahmaji the reason for his appearance, then Brahmaji narrated him the story and ordered him to participate in the work of creation.

Kandarpa did not come to meet Brahmaji for some time and hid somewhere. Brahmaji detected him with his divine eye and got angry at him and cursed him saying, “You will be burnt to ashes by the angry fire of the eyes of Mahadev Shiva.” Hearing this, Kandarpa requested Brahmaji to forgive him and started praying for him to be pleased.

Brahmaji calmed down for some time.

Brahmaji blessed him with a happy heart and told him that I give you twelve places to live which will be the parts of the woman “Kaminigan’s sarcasm, hair, thighs, breasts, navel, Bahumool and Adhar Pallava and Vasant, Kokila Laap, Jyotsna and Jaldagam.”

Also gave him a flower bow and five arrows. Taking all this, Kandarpa thanked him with a happy heart and went away from there.

After some time, due to the beauty of Kandarpa and the blessings given by Brahmadev and the divine arrow, he came to be known by the name Kamdev. Kamadeva started killing everyone with his arrows. And after marrying Rati, he started following his religion.

Then there was a time when I was engrossed in my penance and the whole world was eager to introduce me to you. On the orders of Devraj Indra, in order to run the cycle of the world completely smoothly with the union of Shiva Shakti, Kamadeva released so many arrows to subdue my mind in lust. Even before the arrows could reach me, I destroyed Kamadeva with the fire of anger of the third eye. Did it.

Rati mourned in front of me and got ready to commit suicide. But I stopped him from doing this and reminded him of the curse of Brahmadev which could never be broken and explained to him with the words of destiny and told him that the curse of Brahma cannot be broken but I disabled him.

After that, with the wish and inspiration of Shri Hari Vishnu, the gods ordered Kamadeva in Anang form to worship the divine Shivling at the place situated in the Mahakal forest. By the grace of that Linga, Lord Bholenath Shiva blessed Kamadeva to be born again and said that in Dwaparayuga, you will be born in the house of Dwarka King Lord Shri Krishna and Rukmini and you will get Rati again.

After getting the blessings of Shivalinga, Kamadeva and all the gods started praising this divine Shivalinga by naming it Kameshwar, Mankameshwar and Mankamaneshwar.

Describing the importance of Mankamaneshwar Mahadev Temple located in Ujjain, the priest here says that not only by worshiping and anointing here but also by merely having darshan, a person gets good fortune. The one who worships, darshan and anoints here will get the benefit of long life, clean appearance, wealth and supreme happiness along with a beautiful wife and healthy children. Although people visit here throughout the year, here worship and Abhishek are considered important on Chaturthi, Ashtami, Sankranti, Monday as well as Sawan.