The 84 Mahadev Yatra is one of Ujjain’s oldest and most spiritually powerful pilgrimage circuits. Spread across the ancient city, these 84 Shiva temples represent the divine fragments of Lord Shiva that emerged after the destruction of the demon Dushan — a legend rooted in the Shiva Mahapurana.
Origin of the 84 Mahadev – The Shiva Mahapurana Story
According to the Shiva Mahapurana, a demon named Dushan had a boon that wherever his blood fell, 84 forms of him would arise.
Shiva requested His sister Shri Priya (present-day Shipra River) to appear as water so that Dushan’s blood would dissolve. But Shipra arrived late — allowing the demon to multiply into 84 forms.
Seeing the chaos, Shipra washed Shiva with holy water, resulting in:
- Shiva’s body splitting into 84 divine fragments
- Each fragment destroying one form of Dushan
These fragments manifested as 84 Mahadev temples, spread across Ujjaini.
Ujjain is the only place in the world with all 84 Mahadev.
Spiritual Importance of the 84 Mahadev Yatra
According to the Skanda Purana:
- A soul passes through 84 lakh yonis (lifeforms) before attaining human birth.
- Visiting the 84 Mahadev dissolves sins accumulated across these life cycles.
- It is believed that during Pralaya, only the 84 Mahadev will remain eternal.
When do devotees perform the Yatra?
- Shravan Maas
- Purushottam Maas (Adhik Maas)
- During Ujjain Simhastha Kumbh Mela
- Personal sankalp, health, and spiritual upliftment
Where Does the 84 Mahadev Yatra Begin?
The journey traditionally begins and ends at:
Shri Agastyeshwar Mahadev
(Behind Harsiddhi Temple, inside the Santoshi Mata premises)
From here, devotees start the pradakshina of the entire ancient city.
The 4 Maha-Dwarapal Mahadev (Guardians of Ujjain)
These four protect the city from the four directions:
| Direction | Dwarapal Mahadev |
|---|---|
| East | Shri Pingleshwar Mahadev |
| South | Shri Kayavarohaneshwar Mahadev |
| North | Shri Bilvkeshwar Mahadev |
| West | Shri Durdhareshwar Mahadev |
These four are mandatory shrines in the complete 84 Mahadev Yatra.
Complete List of All 84 Mahadev in Region-Wise Order
| Region No. | Region Name | 84 Mahadev List |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harsiddhi Temple & Shipra River Region | Agastyeshwar Mahadev, Sangameshwar Mahadev, Karkoteshwar Mahadev, Swarnjvaleshwar Mahadev, Dhundeshwar Mahadev, Aruneshwar Mahadev, Guheshwar Mahadev, Pishachmukteshwar Mahadev, Damarukeshwar Mahadev, Manakamneshwar Mahadev, Kukkuteshwar Mahadev, Durghateshwar Mahadev, Kedare shwar Mahadev, Prathukeshwar Mahadev |
| 2 | Mahakal Temple Area | Anadikalpeshwar Mahadev, Trivishteshwar Mahadev, Chandradityeshwar Mahadev, Swapneshwar Mahadev, Swarnadwarpaleshwar Mahadev |
| 3 | Chakrateerth | Anandeshwar Mahadev |
| 4 | Kartik Chowk Region | Ghanteshwar, Reventeshwar, Kutumbeshwar, Pushpadanteshwar, Rupeshwar, Abhimukteshwar, Lokpaleshwar, Prayageshwar |
| 5 | Dhaba Road – Dani Gate – Khatikwada – Chakrateerth – Bade Pul | Brahmeshwar, Karkateshwar, Suleshwar, Vishweshwar, Omkareshwar, Abhayeshwar, Someshwar, Kapaleshwar, Indreshwar, Jalpeshwar, Veereshwar |
| 6 | Piplinaka & Gadkalika Area | Pashupateshwar, Dhanushashtreshwar, Prayageshwar, Neelkantheshwar, Singheshwar, Hanumanteshwar |
| 7 | Nayapura – Ankapata – Mangalnath – Kalbhairav – Siddhanath | Trilochaneshwar, Markandeshwar, Shiveshwar, Kusumeshwar, Akrureshwar, Kundeshwar, Chyavaneshwar, Jateshwar, Anakeshwar, Gangeshwar, Uttar areshwar, Angareshwar, Badeleshwar, Siddheshwar, Kanthadeshwar, Lumpeshwar, Karbhareshwar |
| 8 | Agar Road – Makodia – Jaithal | Khandeshwar, Pattes hwar, Durdhareshwar |
| 9 | Sati Gate – Chhatri Chowk – Chhota Sarafa – Nai Peeth – Patni Bazaar | Rameshwar, Nupureshwar, Matangeshwar, Meghanadeshwar, Sthavareshwar, Rajasthaleshwar, Nagchandreshwar, Pratih areshwar, Ishaneshwar, Indrayumneshwar, Kalkaleshwar, Apsareshwar, Siddheshwar, Mukteshwar, Mahalayeshwar, Saubhagy eshwar |
| 10 | Gambhir Dam – Ambodia | Bilvkeshwar Mahadev |
| 11 | Triveni → Tapobhoomi → Karohan | Kayavarohaneshwar Mahadev |
| 12 | Freeganj Bridge → Maksi Road → Synthetic Factory Area | Pingleshwar Mahadev |
The 84 Mahadev Yatra is not just a pilgrimage — it is a spiritual purification path linked to ancient Purana traditions and cosmic energy points spread across Ujjain. Completing this Yatra is believed to clear karmic layers gathered across 84 lakh life cycles, a belief also reflected in ancient Hindu philosophical texts that describe liberation through sacred journeys.
FAQs About 84 Mahadev Yatra
1. Where does the 84 Mahadev Yatra start?
At Shri Agastyeshwar Mahadev behind Harsiddhi Temple.
2. How many temples are included?
Exactly 84 Shiva temples.
3. Is Ujjain the only place with 84 Mahadev?
Yes, the only place in the world.
4. Best time to do the Yatra?
Shravan, Adhik Maas, or during Simhastha, as these periods are traditionally associated with enhanced spiritual merit described in traditional Indian religious observances.
5. Can the Yatra be done in one day?
Yes, if you move continuously. Many devotees take 3–5 days.
Explore the 84 Mahadev of Ujjain
The 84 Mahadev are not just temples — they are the sacred energy points formed from the divine disintegration of Mahadev’s body during the battle with demon Dushan.
Ujjain remains the only place in the world where all 84 forms reside together.
- Shri Agastyeshwar Mahadev: Behind Harsiddhi Temple; the journey starts and ends here.
Together, these articles form the “84 Mahadev Series,” revealing the mythic depth, spiritual greatness and geographical legacy of Ujjain’s sacred circuit.
