Newly Built Ashoka Bridge To Ensure Quick Entry To Ujjain's Mahakal Temple During Shravan Rush

Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh): Devotees visiting the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling temple during the upcoming holy month of Shravan will be allowed entry through the newly built Samrat Ashoka Setu.

This new bridge over Rudra Sagar is expected to play a major role in managing crowds and diverting routes during the busy season.

The 200-meter-long and 9-meter-wide modern bridge was built by the Ujjain Smart City Company and was recently inaugurated by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav.

Although it is not being used under the current temple entry system, the temple administration is planning to include it in the Shravan month crowd management plan.

The bridge could be especially helpful during the Bhasma Aarti, which during Shravan starts at 3:00 am on regular days and at 2:30 am on Sundays.

Devotees will be able to walk directly from the Chardham parking area, via Shaktipath, and cross the bridge to reach the temple faster. This new route is around 1.5 kilometers shorter than the current path.

Current Entry System

At present, devotees enter the temple from the Nandi Dwar side of Shri Mahakal Mahalok after parking at the Chardham temple parking. From there, they walk through the Mahakal Lok area and pass through a tunnel connected to the Shri Mansarovar Facility Centre, reaching the temple's Ganesh and Kartikeya Mandapam for darshan.

The Samrat Ashoka Setu, built at a cost of approximately ₹22.5 crore, has a wide central portion that offers a beautiful view of Rudra Sagar. Decorative lights on the bridge make it a special experience for devotees, especially at night.

The temple management hopes the new bridge will make the darshan process smoother and faster for thousands of devotees expected during the Shravan month.