November 01, 2022
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the first phase of the `850 crore Mahakaleshwar Temple Corridor Development Project in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
- The project, called Mahakal Lok, is part of the Mandir Parisar Vistar Yojna. Under the Mahakal Lok project, the temple precinct will be expanded nearly seven times.
- Mahakaleshwar Temple is among the most popular Hindu temples. It is one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peeths and also one of the 12 Jyotirlingams of Lord Shiva.
- The temple is believed to have been built in the 6th century by Kumarasena. It was redeveloped many times and since the 19th century, it has been looked after by the Scindia family.
- Rudrasagar, a lake that lies close to the temple, has also been rejuvenated. This had become a drain with sewage from 12,000 homes being emptied into it.
- Close to 1.5 crore people visit the temple annually. The redevelopment will help double those numbers. This will boost tourism and also provide employment opportunities.
