Pakistan is a paradigm example of a failed state that has undergone an extremely dangerous form of radical Islamisation.
Mahakaleshwar Temple
Temple Dedicated To Lord Shiva - The Destroyer of Universe
Mahakaleshwar Temple, mentioned by the great poet Kalidasa
in his works, is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Destroyer of the Universe. The
Shiva linga is worshipped throughout India as it symbolises Shiva's incarnate
power on earth. On the other hand, a jyotirlinga is the swayamabhu
(self-manifested) linga, which is found only in 12 places in India.
Rituals Performed
One of the rituals performed in this temple is the Bhasm Arti that involves
smearing the linga with hot ashes from the burning ghats (cremation grounds).
Shiva is believed to dwell in cremation grounds, and the ash-smearing ceremony
is a homage to the Destroyer of the Universe himself. This form of worship is
symbolic of Death and Life being inseparable, an idea that is inherent to most
of the Hindu schools of thought. The idol of MahakaleshwarTemple is called
Dakshinamurtias it faces south (dakshin: south, and murti: idol).
Reconstruction of The Temple
The original temple was destroyed during Muslim invasions, and the temple was
rebuilt recently by the Sindhias in the traditional Central Indian style.
It is a five-storeyed structure at the south end of the city. The curved
superstructure is adorned with motifs on all sides, rising above the colonnaded
porches.
Along the walls of the corridors in the temple rest old statues and
sculptures, while in the courtyard lie ruined ancient shrines.
The storeys are ornamented with pierced balustrades, and the balconies have
richly decorated roofs reminiscent of the Rajput style of architecture. Screens
and pavilions are combined with marble colonnades leading to the linga within
the sanctuary, making Mughal architecture come alive right in the heart of this
Hindu temple.
