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Jateswar Mahadev in Ujjain – Story of Jateshwar Form of Shiva – 28th Shiva Temple in Ujjain

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.