Visiting 84 Mahadev in Sawan: Part 3 (Temples 17 to 24) – Old City Route & Skanda Purana Verses
Visiting 84 Mahadev in Sawan: Part 3 (Temples 17 to 24) – Old City Route & Skanda Purana Verses
If you're following the 84 Mahadev yatra, this third stretch cuts straight through Ujjain's old city lanes. It gets tight. Streets around Gopal Mandir, Patni Bazaar, and Chatri Chowk narrow down, auto-rickshaws start crowding by mid-morning, and Sawan foot traffic builds up quickly.
Starting from Hotel Shrimmaya right after breakfast—around 9:00 AM—gives you a solid four-hour window to cover this cluster before afternoon heat and market traffic peak.
The Old City Route: Temples 17 to 24
This stretch covers eight temples packed tightly in the commercial heart of Avantika Kshetra:
Temple 17: Shri Apsareshwar Mahadev (17/84)
Tucked away near the old market lanes, tradition links this shrine with celestial nymphs (Apsaras) seeking inner poise and grace. Devotees visit here for mental calm and to clear emotional heaviness.
- Where it is: Near Patni Bazaar lane, a short walk from Indreshwar.
- When to go: 9:15 AM – 9:45 AM. Market shops are just opening, so alleyways aren't congested yet.
- Skanda Purana Reference:
अप्सरेश्वरमभ्यर्च्य रूपसौभाग्यवर्धनम्।
मनोभिलषितं कामं लभते नात्र संशयः॥
“Worshipping Apsareshwar enhances inner grace and well-being, fulfilling the deep desires of the seeker.”
Temple 18: Shri Kalmeshwar Mahadev (18/84)
Kalmeshwar stands as a shrine for protection against sudden disruptions and anxiety. The atmosphere inside the courtyard is noticeably quieter than the busy main road outside.
- Where it is: Near Danagali lane junction.
- When to go: 9:50 AM – 10:15 AM.
- Skanda Purana Reference:
कल्मषघ्नं कल्पवृक्षं कल्मषेश्वरमव्ययम्।
पूजयित्वा नरो लोके सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्येत॥
“Praying at Kalmeshwar clears accumulated karmic distress and shields the yatri from spiritual downfall.”
Temple 19: Shri Nagachandreshwar Mahadev (19/84)
(Note: This is the local 84 Mahadev city shrine, separate from the 3rd-floor shrine inside Mahakaleshwar temple that opens only on Nag Panchami).
Pilgrims come here to seek relief from Rahu-Ketu doshas and fear of toxins or snake afflictions.
- Where it is: Mali Pura / Ramghat approach route.
- When to go: 10:20 AM – 10:45 AM.
- Skanda Purana Reference:
नागचन्द्रेश्वरं दृष्ट्वा सर्वसर्पभयापहम्।
नागलोकमवाप्नोति शिवेन सह मोदते॥
“Visiting Nagachandreshwar removes all fear of serpents and grants peace of mind.”
Temple 20: Shri Pratihreshwar Mahadev (20/84)
Historically revered as the 'Doorkeeper' (Pratihara) shrine of Avantika. Devotees offer prayers here to build personal discipline and protect their spiritual practice.
- Where it is: Near Mahakal corridor entrance zone.
- When to go: 10:50 AM – 11:15 AM.
- Skanda Purana Reference:
प्रतिहारेश्वरं देवं ये नमन्ति मुदान्विताः।
द्वारपालो भवेत्तस्य स्वयं देवो महेश्वरः॥
“Those who bow before Pratihreshwar gain divine protection and clarity on their journey.”
Temple 21: Shri Kukkuteshwar Mahadev (21/84)
A quieter shrine highlighted in the Avantya Khanda for curing long-standing physical ailments and fatigue during travel.
- Where it is: Bohra Baakhal lane.
- When to go: 11:20 AM – 11:45 AM.
- Skanda Purana Reference:
कुक्कुटेश्वरमासाद्य पूजयित्वा महेश्वरम्।
व्याधिभ्यो मुच्यते क्षिप्रं पुष्टिमग्र्यां च विन्दति॥
“Worshipping Kukkuteshwar helps relieve bodily suffering and restores physical strength.”
Temple 22: Shri Kunteshwar Mahadev (22/84)
Tradition states this Linga was established by Queen Kunti during the Mahabharata era. Families visit to pray for the longevity, health, and focus of their children.
- Where it is: Khajuri Bazaar area.
- When to go: 11:50 AM – 12:15 PM.
- Skanda Purana Reference:
कुन्तेश्वरं महालिङ्गं कुन्त्या संस्थापितं पुरा।
पूजयित्वा नरो भक्त्या पुत्रपौत्रैः प्रवर्धते॥
“Established by Kunti, worshipping this Linga brings family stability and protects future generations.”
Temple 23: Shri Yajneshwar Mahadev (23/84)
Representing the spiritual merit (Punya) of sacred ritual fires (Yagna), this shrine offers a space for quiet reflection amidst market noise.
- Where it is: Near Sati Gate area.
- When to go: 12:20 PM – 12:45 PM.
- Skanda Purana Reference:
यज्ञेश्वरं महादेवं दृष्ट्वा यजनजं फलम्।
लभते नात्र सन्देहो रुद्रलोकं च गच्छति॥
“Beholding Yajneshwar bestows the spiritual fruit of sacred sacrifices.”
Temple 24: Shri Vishveshwar Mahadev (24/84)
Concluding the third cluster, Vishveshwar brings the universal presence of Kashi directly into Ujjain. Finishing here puts you right near Chatri Chowk.
- Where it is: Chatri Chowk corner.
- When to go: 12:50 PM – 1:15 PM.
- Skanda Purana Reference:
विश्वेश्वरं नमस्कृत्य विश्वरुपं सदाशिवम्।
सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः शिवलोके महीयते॥
“Bowing to Vishveshwar frees the mind from past mistakes and brings universal peace.”
Practical Yatra Advice & Stay Details
Walking these narrow market lanes during Sawan can get tiring. Shoe stands near smaller street temples get crowded quickly, so carry a simple cloth bag to keep your footwear with you.
If you are traveling with elderly parents or young kids, try not to push past 1:30 PM. Old city stone paths get hot under midday sun, and traffic slows to a crawl.
Staying at Hotel Shrimmaya keeps this route easy:
- Hotel near Mahakal: You get back around 1:30 PM, enjoy a hot pure-veg meal, and rest in air-conditioned rooms before evening Aarti.
- Hotel For Family: Clean, spacious family suites mean everyone gets space to unwind after navigating crowded market alleys.
- Best Hotel in Ujjain for Logistics: The front desk can coordinate private cab pickups right at Chatri Chowk so you don't have to walk back through high-traffic lanes.
- Corporate Trip Booking: Group stays can arrange dedicated minibuses or autos to hold at designated market entry points while the group completes temples 17 through 24.
🗺️ Route Map & Temple Links
Use the links below to open each shrine on the Part 3 circuit in Google Maps and navigate the lanes of the Old City on foot:
All eight shrines sit within a compact walking loop in Ujjain's Old City, reachable in under 20 minutes from Hotel Shrimmaya.
