The president deity of time Shiva in all his splendour, reigns eternal in ujjain. The temple of Mahakaleshwar, its shikhara soaring into the skies, an imposing facade against the skyline evokes primordial awe and reverence with its majesty. The Mahakal domainates the life of the city and its people, even in the midist of the busy routine of modern preoccupations, and provides an unbreakable link with past traditions.

One of the 12 Jyothirlingas in India, the lingam at the Mahakal is believed to be Swayambhu (born of itself), deriving currents of power(shakti) from within itself as against the other images and lingams which are ritually established and invested with the mantra-shakti.

The idol of Mahakaleshwar is known to be dakshinamurti,facing the south. This is a unique feature, upheld by tantric tradition to be found only in Mahakaleshwar among the 12 Jyothirlingas. The idol of Omkareshwar Shiva is consecrated in the sanctum above the Mahakal shrine. The images of Ganesh,Parvati and Karttikeya are installed in the west north and east of the sanctum sanctorum.To the south is the image of Nandi. The idol of Nagchandreshwar on the third story is open for darshan only on the day of Nagpanchami.

On the day of Mahashivratri, a huge fair is held near the temple, and worship goes on through night.