Jateshwar Mahadev is worshiped in Ujjain in Madhya
Pradesh. It is one of the 84 forms of Shiva worshiped in Ujjain. It is
believed that those worshipping Jateshwar Mahadev will get sin redemption.
The temple dedicated to Jateshwar Mahadev is located at Gayakotha
in Ujjain.
This form of Shiva is associated with a king named Vir
Dhanva.
Jateshwar Mahadev is counted among the
84 Shiva Temples in Ujjain and it is the 28th temple
visited during the parikarama of Shivalayas here.
Story of Jateshwar Mahadev form of Shiva in Ujjain
There lived a king named Vir Dhanva. He had no control over
his temper. Once during a hunting expedition, he killed five deer. But the deer
were actually the sons of a saint who were playing in the getup of deer. King
was saddened and angry at the incident. He then went to the ashram of Devrat
Rishi. Here he had an argument the Rishi and did not like the sage giving him
advice. In anger, he killed the sage.
The king then roamed in the forest and lost his way. He was
saddened by his situation. He roamed for several months. Finally, one day he
reached the ashram of Vaman Rishi.
The sage asked Vir Dhanva to go to Mahakaal Vana and offer
prayers to a Shivling located to the north of Anarkeshwar Mahadev.
The hair (Jata) of the king had grown by the time. He went
to Mahakaal Vana in the same form. Here he performed intense penance. His hair
grew even more and it covered his entire body.
Shiva then appeared before the king and blessed him with sin
redemption.
This Shivling later came to be known as Jateshwar
Mahadev.