Ujjain, nestled along the banks of the holy Shipra River in Madhya Pradesh, is among Hinduism’s most sacred cities. While it is most renowned for Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, the city is also home to a unique pilgrimage: the 84 Mahadev Temples Yatra. This rare circuit is believed to represent 84 divine manifestations of Lord Shiva, and completing the yatra is said to free devotees from the endless cycle of rebirth and grant them moksha.

The Legend Behind the 84 Temples

According to the Skanda Purana, a powerful demon named Andhakasur (or Dushan) terrorized the three worlds. Each drop of his blood that fell to the earth created a new demon. To stop this, Lord Shiva struck the demon in Ujjain, and 84 drops of blood fell on the sacred land. At each spot, Shiva manifested himself as a linga to contain the evil. These manifestations became the 84 Mahadev Temples.

Thus, the pilgrimage represents liberation from the 84 lakh yonis (births) and symbolizes the cosmic cycles of creation and dissolution.

Location & Geography

* The temples are spread across Ujjain city and its outskirts, forming a mystical circuit.

* Many scholars believe they are arranged in a cosmic triangular pattern, linked to ancient astronomy and energy fields.

* The pilgrimage traditionally begins at Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga and follows a path covering all 84 shrines.

Rituals & Puja Practices

* The Yatra (Pilgrimage) – Devotees walk or travel to all 84 temples, offering water, milk, flowers, and bilva leaves.

* Mantras – The chanting of “ॐ नमः शिवाय” is constant during the journey.

* Special Days – The yatra is especially performed during Shravan Maas (July–August) and Bhadrapada (August–September).

* Unique Traditions –

* At Nagchandreshwar Temple, the sanctum is opened only once a year on Nag Panchami.

* Some temples have specific connections to sages (like Markandeshwar for Rishi Markandeya).

* Many shrines are linked with Shakti Peethas, emphasizing Ujjain’s role as a center of both Shaivism and Shaktism.

🛕 The 84 Mahadev Temples – Complete List

Here are the temples as recorded in scriptures and displayed on the board you shared:

* Augustyeshwar

* Guheshwar

* Dhundheshwar

* Damrukeshwar

* Anadikalpeshwar

* Swarnajaleshwar

* Trivishtapeshwar

* Kapaleshwar

* Swargadwareshwar

* Karkotakeshwar

* Siddheshwar

* Lokpaleshwar

* Manokamaneshwar

* Kutumbeshwar

* Indradyumneshwar

* Ishaneshwar

* Apsareshwar

* Kalakaleshwar

* Nagchandreshwar

* Pratihareshwar

* Kukuteshwar

* Karkateshwar

* Meghnadeshwar

* Mahalayeshwar

* Mukteshwar

* Someshwar

* Anarkeshwar

* Jateshwar

* Rameshwar

* Chyavaneshwar

* Khandeshwar

* Pattaneshwar

* Anandeshwar

* Kanthadeshwar

* Indreshwar

* Markandeshwar

* Shiveshwar

* Kusumeshwar

* Akrureshwar

* Kundeshwar

* Lumpeshwar

* Gangeshwar

* Angareshwar

* Uttareshwar

* Trilochaneshwar

* Veereshwar

* Nupureshwar

* Abhayeshwar

* Prithukeshwar

* Stavreshwar

* Shuleshwar

* Omkareshwar

* Vishweshwar

* Neelkantheshwar

* Singheshwar

* Revanteshwar

* Ghanteshwar

* Prayageshwar

* Siddheshwar

* Matangeshwar

* Sobhagyeshwar

* Rupeshwar

* Dhanuhsahastreshwar

* Pashupateshwar

* Brahmeshwar

* Jalpeshwar

* Kedareshwar

* Pishachmukteshwar

* Sangameshwar

* Durdhareshwar

* Prayageshwar

* Chandradityeshwar

* Karbheshwar

* Rajasthaleshwar

* Badleshwar

* Aruneshwar

* Pushpdanteshwar

* Avimukteshwar

* Hanumanteshwar

* Swapneshwar

* Pingleshwar

* Kayavarohaneshwar

* Bilveshwar

* Durdureshwar

84 Mahadev Yatra: clustered route you can do in 2 -3 days

Ujjain’s 84 Mahadev temples are spread across the old city core and the belts along the Shipra. The most efficient way is to cover them in walkable city clusters and periphery loops using auto-rickshaws in between. Start at Mahakaleshwar (central anchor) and move clockwise.

Day 1 - Old City Core (walk + short e-rickshaws)

Theme: Dense pack of shrines around Mahakaleshwar, Harsiddhi, Ram Ghat lanesTime: ~6–8 hours with darshan/puja halts

* Mahakal–Harsiddhi–Ram Ghat circuit (walkable)

* Start pre-dawn at Mahakaleshwar for Bhasma Aarti (if you have the pass).

* Walk to Harsiddhi and then descend toward Ram Ghat lanes.

* In this maze, you’ll encounter a series of Shiva shrines from your list (e.g., Kapaleshwar, Lokpaleshwar, Manokamaneshwar, Siddheshwar, Shuleshwar, Omkareshwar, Vishweshwar, Matangeshwar, Ghanteshwar, Anandeshwar, etc.).

* Tip: keep your checklist handy and tick as you go; local pandas (priests) will point the next few in sequence.

* Siddhavat–Mangalnidhi pocket (short hop)

* Move north along the riverbank by e-rickshaw: you’ll get pockets with older Shiva lingas in small courtyards and akharas.

Puja tips today

* Carry bilva (bel) leaves, fresh flowers, raw milk/water, sandal, akshat (rice), dhup.

* Chant “Om Namah Shivaya” or Maha-Mrityunjaya softly at each stop.

* Dakshina is customary; many shrines are community-maintained.

Day 2 - Northern Arc & West Belt (auto-rickshaw loops)

Theme: Temples towards Mangalnath / Kal Bhairav / Sandipani axesTime: ~7–8 hours

* Mangalnath–Bhairavgarh loop

* Head to Mangalnath area (Shiva’s “birthplace of Mars” in tradition).

* Cover nearby Mahadev shrines (many from your list fall here under names like Uttareshwar, Trilochaneshwar, Veereshwar, Abhayeshwar, Prithukeshwar, etc., often set in small enclosures off the main road).

* Then to Kal Bhairav belt (Bhairav temples are guardians of Ujjain; you’ll find adjacent/nearby Mahadev shrines).

* Sandipani Ashram–Gomti Kund pocket (north-east)

* Around Sandipani, you’ll find quiet shaiva shrines (Akrureshwar, Kundeshwar, Pattaneshwar types).

* Ask at the ashram gate for the nearest 84-Mahadev markers; many are in contiguous gullies.

Puja tips today

* For Nagchandreshwar (one of the list’s special ones), the garbhagriha opens only on Nag Panchami; on normal days, do darshan from outside and note on checklist.

Day 3 — Southern/Eastern Arc (Indore Rd / Kshipra East) - optional or half-day

Theme: Gadkalika–Triveni–Nanakheda sideTime: 4–6 hours (or finish Day 2 if you’re quick)

* Gadkalika–Triveni belt

* Take an auto to Gadkalika (Shakti peeth area) then run the Triveni side on Kshipra’s eastern bank.

* Here you’ll tick off the remaining outliers (e.g., Pashupateshwar, Kedareshwar, Sangameshwar, Durdhareshwar, etc.).

* Wrap up back toward the old city to complete any you missed.

Significance of Completing the Yatra

* Considered equal to visiting all twelve Jyotirlingas.

* Grants freedom from the cycle of birth and death.

* Strengthens spiritual discipline through tapasya, bhakti, and seva.

* Ujjain becomes not just a city, but a living mandala of Shiva’s energy.

How to navigate on the ground (works really well)

* Use your checklist CSV on phone/print; mark the cluster/area as you discover each temple.

* At cluster starts (Mahakal, Mangalnath, Kal Bhairav, Sandipani, Gadkalika) ask the local pujari: “84 Mahadev waale kaunsa-kaunsa yahan paas mein milenge?” They’ll give an ordered micro-route of 8–15 in that pocket.

* Auto-rickshaw hack: say “84 Mahadev darshan karna hai - Mangalnath–Bhairavgarh side” or whichever arc you’re on. Many drivers know the run.

Daily timing & etiquette

* Best window: Brahma-muhurta to late morning; resume 4–9 pm.

* Dress modestly; keep offerings minimal to reduce waste.

* Photography: ask first; some small shrines prefer no flash.

* Hydration: carry water; old-city lanes can be tight, use light footwear.

Simple ritual you can repeat at every shrine (2–4 minutes)

* Quietly chant “Om Namah Shivaya” 5–11 times.

* Offer bel-patra, flowers, a small abhishek (water/milk if permitted).

* Touch threshold, do pradakshina (1 or 3 circumambulations if space allows).

* Offer akshat & sandal, receive tilak and prasad.

* Note the temple in your checklist and move on.

The 84 Mahadev Yatra of Ujjain is more than a physical pilgrimage - it is a symbolic journey