The
famous temple of Mahakala lies in the heart of Ujjain and it is beside a lake of
unusual dimensions. It is a three storied shrine with a massive compound wall.
The grabha griha enshrining the Mahakala Jyotirlinga is located in the ground
floor over which two stories are erected. This three storied temple is
beautified with sculptural adornments of many kinds. Next visit-worthy shrine
here in Harasiddi shine. It is equally popular as Mahakaleswara temple, and an
independent one dedicated to Harasiddi, a name assumed by Mother Gowri after
putting to death of two dreadful demons. It is the sixth of the 18 Sakti-Pithas
and here three images are adored and they are placed one above the other, and
that is a unique feature. They are Annapurna,
Harasiddi and Gowri. The emergence of this deity has a strange background and it
is narrated in Skanda Purana. The story goes that Lord Maheswar and Gowri were
once playing the game of chess in Kailas. As it progressed they were so absorbed
that they were oblivious of the surroundings. Hara, one of the nine principal
forms of Gowri acting then as sentinel heard some disturbing sounds outside.
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