Karketeshwar Mahadev is worshiped in Ujjain in
Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the 84 forms of Shiva worshiped in Ujjain.
Those offering prayers to Karketeshwar Mahadev will be able to enjoy all sorts
of pleasure on earth.
The temple dedicated to Karketeshwar Mahadev is located at Khatikwada
in Ujjain.
This form of Shiva is associated with a king whose previous
birth was that of a crab.
Karketeshwar Mahadev is counted among the
84 Shiva Temples in Ujjain and it is the 22nd temple
visited during the parikarama of Shivalayas here.
Story of Karketeshwar Mahadev form of Shiva in Ujjain
Story of Karketeshwar Mahadev form of Shiva in Ujjain
Once there lived a famous king named Dharmamurti. He even
helped Indra in defeating demons. One day the king wanted to know why he is
able to achieve so much fame in this birth. He put the question before Sage
Vasishta.
Sage Vasishta then narrated the story of his previous
births. In his previous birth, King Dharmamurti was a crab. He had to take this
birth due to the sins he had committed during earlier births.
As a crab, the king lived in Rudrasagar (pond) in Mahakaal
Vana (Ujjain). One day the crab came out of water and it was picked up by a
crow. The crow dropped the crab accidently on a Shivling located in Mahakaal
Vana. The crab died instantly.
As the crab died on the Shivling, it got divine birth. First,
it lived in heaven. Then it was born on earth as King Dharmamurti.
King Dharmamurti then went to Mahakaal Vana (Ujjain) and
offered prayers to the Shivling and attained moksha. The Shivling on which the
crab attained liberation came to be known as Karketeshwar Mahadev.