Veereshwar Mahadev is worshiped in Ujjain in
Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the 84 forms of Shiva worshiped in Ujjain. It
is believed that worshipping Veereshwar Form of Shiva will help in leading a
happy life on earth and finally the person will attain liberation.
The temple dedicated to Veereshwar Mahadev is located near
Satyanarayan Temple on Dhaba Road in Ujjain.
This form of Shiva is associated with giving blessing to a
young brave boy. ‘Veer’ means brave.
Veereshwar Mahadev is counted among the
84 Shiva Temples in Ujjain and it is the 46th temple
visited during the parikarama of Shiavalayas here.
Story of Veereshwar Form of Shiva in Ujjain
Once there lived a king named Abhijatrijth. He was a good
and powerful king. He once rescued a virgin girl from the clutches of a demon.
The king later married the girl.
The pious couple performed Shiva puja daily. The queen performed
tritiya vrat and was blessed with a healthy child.
In due course of time, she gave birth to a baby boy. But the
minister of the kingdom told the queen that the child was born in an
inauspicious period and this will result in the death of the king and complete
destruction of the kingdom.
The queen abandoned the child at the temple of Goddess
Vikata Devi.
Yoginis who were traveling through the sky happened to see
the abandoned child and they took the child away.
The child grew up and the age of 16, he arrived at Mahkal
forest (Ujjain) and offered prayers to a Shivling. Pleased with the devotion
and courage of the young man, Shiva gave him darshan in Jyotirling form.
As boon, the young man requested that he should not fall
into the trap of ‘Maya.’
Shiva blessed the lad and disappeared.
The young boy then became a powerful king and ruled for a
long period.
The Shivling got the name Veereshwar Mahadev due to
the courage and devotion of the young boy.