Mahakal Lok corridor project

Context

Recently, the Prime Minister inaugurated Shri Mahakal Lok at Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.

The Mahakaleshwar Temple is one of the 12 'jyotirlings' in the country and gets devotees throughout the year.

The “Mahakal Lok” over 900-meter-long corridor’s first phase was officially opened as part of the $856 million Mahakaleshwar Temple corridor development project.

The old Rudrasagar Lake, which has also been revitalised as part of the development project around the historic Mahakaleshwar Temple, will be skirted by the Mahakal Lok.
Two imposing gateways – Nandi Dwar and Pinaki Dwar – have been erected near the beginning of the corridor, which winds its way to the temple’s entrance and provides an aesthetic view along the way.
A 108-pillar colonnade with artistically carved sandstones has been constructed.

On the decorative pillars, artisans and artists primarily from Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Orissa have laboured.
The path contains 108 stambhs depicting the dance form “Anand Tandav Swaroop '' of Lord Shiva.

Various religious sculptures showing the life of Lord Shiva are also established along the Mahakal Path.
The Mural wall along the Mahakal path is based on Shiva Purana stories including Birth of Ganesha, Daksha, Act of creation, and Story of Sati among others.

The temple in its present form was built by the Maratha general Ranoji Shinde in 1734 CE.
Before Independence, the Devasthan Trust used to look after the temple.

This was replaced by the municipal corporation of Ujjain post-Independence.
The collectorate office of Ujjain district now manages the administration of the temple.

Mahakal Maharaj Mandir Parisar Vistar Yojna is a plan for the expansion, beautification, and decongestion of the Mahakaleshwar temple and its adjoining area in Ujjain district.
Under the plan, the Mahakaleshwar temple premise of around 2.82 hectares is being increased to 47 hectares, which will be developed in two phases by the Ujjain district administration.

This will be developed in two phases by the Ujjain district administration.
- The first phase of the project entails development of Mahakal Lok Corridor with a visitor plaza having two entrances — Nandi Dwaar and Pinaki Dwaar.
  - A 900-metre pedestrian corridor has been constructed, connecting the plaza to the Mahakal temple, dotted with murals and statues depicting stories related to Lord Shiva.
  - The corridor, known as the Mahakal Lok, will skirt around the old Rudrasagar Lake and is touted as one of the longest of its kind in India.
- The second phase includes expansion of the eastern and northern fronts of the temple.
  - It also includes development of various areas of Ujjain city, such as Maharajwada, Mahal Gate, Hari Phatak Bridge, Ramghat façade, and Begam Bagh Road.

Once the inauguration is complete, the temple area will increase from 2.87 hectares to 47 hectares.
- It will also increase the holding capacity significantly.
The project will also help in enriching the experience of pilgrims coming to the temple.
It will also provide the pilgrims with world-class modern facilities.
The project also aims to decongest the complete area and put special emphasis on conservation and restoration of heritage structures.