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Pashupateshwar Mahadev in Ujjain – Story of Pashupateshwar Form of Shiva Worshipped at Jansapura in Ujjain

Pashupateshwar Mahadev is one of the 84 forms of Shiva worshipped in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. Glory of Pashupateshwar form of Shiva is mentioned in the Skanda Purana. This is form is associated with king Pashupal.

The temple dedicated to Pashupateshwar is located on the banks of Shipra River in Jansapura area of Ujjain city.



This form is worshipped for peace and prosperity. It is believed that those who offer prayers will never be reborn in the form of animal.

Pashupateshwar Mahadev is counted among the 84 Shiva Temple is Ujjain and it is the 64th temple visited during the parikarama of Shiavalayas here.

Story of Pashupateshwar Form of Shiva


Legend has it that here once lived a king named Pashupal. He was great king loved by his subjects. He used to take care of animals.

Once he happened to see a woman and five men on seashore. The king fell unconscious on seeing them. When he gained consciousness, he was in a fort and he saw the five men standing around him. The king thought them to be his enemies and started fighting them. Another five men joined the battle. However, the king was not able to defeat any of them.

After awhile, the 10 men and the woman merged into the body of the king.

The king did not know what had happened and was stunned by the events.

Meanwhile Sage Narada reached there.

When the king wanted to know what had happened here. Sage Narada told that the ten men were five Jnanedriyas and five Karmedriyas and the lone woman was intellect.

Sage Narada told the king that they had come in anger, as one of the ancestors of the king did not offer seat, food and water to Shiva when he performed a yajna.

Shiva punished the Devas for partaking in such a yajna. All were born as animals (Pashu yoni).
Devas then asked for forgiveness.

Shiva asked them to go to Mahakal forest and offer prayers to Pashupati Mahadev.

Devas performed prayers to Pashupateshwar Shivling and escaped from Pashu yoni or animal form. It is believed that offering prayers here will help the person and even his/her ancestors from not being born in Pashu Yoni.