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PM dedicates Phase I of the Mahakaal Lok Project to the nation
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on 11 October addressed a public function after dedicating Phase I of the Mahakaal Lok Project to the nation, and performing pooja and aarti at the inner sanctum of the Mahakaal temple, in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
The Prime Minister said that Ujjain has not only been the centre of India according to astrological calculation but it has been the centre of India’s soul too. Ujjain is a city that is counted among the seven sacred ‘Puris’ and a place where Lord Krishna himself came for education. Ujjain has seen the splendour of King Vikramaditya and the beginning of India’s golden age. The Prime Minister remarked that Ujjain has gathered history in itself. “Every particle of Ujjain is engulfed in spirituality, and it transmits ethereal energy in every nook and corner.” The Prime Minister continued, “Ujjain has led India’s wealth and prosperity, knowledge and dignity, civilization and literature for thousands of years.”
Throwing light on what religion means to India, the Prime Minister underlined that it is a collective determination of our duties. “The goal of our resolutions is the welfare of the world, and service to mankind.”
Mahakal Lok
Phase I of the Mahakal Lok project will help in enriching the experience of pilgrims visiting the temple by providing them with world-class modern amenities. The project aims to decongest the entire area and also put special emphasis on the conservation and restoration of heritage structures. Under the project, the temple precinct will be expanded nearly seven times. The total cost of the entire project is around Rs 850 crores. The existing footfall of the temple, which is currently around 1.5 crore per annum, is expected to be doubled. The development of the project has been planned under two phases.
The Mahakal Path contains 108 stambhs (pillars) which depict Anand Tandav Swaroop (Dance form) of Lord Shiva. Many religious sculptures depicting the life of Lord Shiva are installed along the Mahakal Path. The mural wall along the path is based on stories about the act of creation, the birth of Ganesha, story of Sati and Daksha among others from Shiva Purana. The area of plaza is spread over 2.5 hectares and is surrounded by a lotus pond which contains the statue of Shiva along with water fountains. The entire premise will be monitored 24×7 by Integrated Command and Control Centre with the help of artificial intelligence and surveillance cameras.