The 'Mahakal Lok' is mesmerising the people not only in Madhya Pradesh, but all over the world.
Call it spiritual smart city Ujjain's Mahakal Lok, is set to join an elite league of ancient temple towns given facelift by the BJP governments and inaugurated by prime minister Narendra Modi.
From Kashmir to Kashi, the BJP governments are carefully reinforcing and nurturing their image reminding the faithful that they have a long association with temple renovation. The first phase of the Mahakal Lok is ready to be inaugurated on October 11 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Devotees going to Ujjain find it unbelievable that Mahakal temple could become so beautiful and specious. The 'Mahakal project' started four years ago, is a dream project of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Completing the project was not an easy task for the administration, as several acres of land was required for it. In the past four years, the administration made hectic efforts to acquire land, making massive constructions under the project.
Mahakal Lok project is a comprehensive development plan of Mahakaleshwar Temple and precinct area which aims to improve the experience of visitors by decongesting the area, providing tourist infrastructure and by providing aesthetically pleasing open spaces. Under Mahakal Lok the temple precinct has been expanded by around seven times.
Ujjain Smart City Limited (USCL), formed in 2016 under Gol Smart City Mission identified approx 55.76 hectare area in the core of the city, surrounding the Mahakal Temple, Rudrasagar lake and Kshipra River. The area comprises main temples, ghats, museum and key routes and nodes which are city level entry points to the temple.
Key objectives for development are:
Decongestion: Restricting vehicular entry into the Mahakaal Lok area. Providing decentralized parking locations at all entry points. NMT, Pedestrian pathways & ramps in extended Temple Precinct.
Facilities: Providing tourist facilitation including, mobility, convenience, shops, accommodation, emergency facilities, parking integrated with solar panels, electric vehicles are being provided
Safety and Security: The premise is being monitored 24x7 by Integrated command & Control Centre with the help of Al & Surveillance cameras.
Aesthetic and Ambient Environment: Depicting the mythology connected to Ujjain, the entire campus of Mahakaal Lok is installed with Murals and Statues. The ambience is enhanced by water features and vegetation. Conservation of Heritage and Built.
Environment: The core area of Ujjain also comprises heritage structures along the temples which have been restored. Conservation of Rudrasagar Lake has also been undertaken in the project.
Development of Mahakaal Lok project is planned in 2 phases. Phase one of Mahakaal Lok primarily comprises 900 mt long Corridor with Plaza Area and facilities along the way. With parking to surveillance, Phase | is comprehensive on its own providing a complete experience and connivence to tourists.
Phase 2 of Mahakaal Lok is expansion on eastern and northern fronts of the temple which integrates with functionality of phase one to further increase the holding capacity of Mahakaal Lok. The phase 2 has been awarded funding under the German Development Agency (AFD) under CITIIS program.
Over 0.14 million livelihood opportunities are created through this project. Many local artists & labourers got employment opportunities. About 350 workers will be involved in Operation & maintenance of Mahakaal Lok Site.
Economy
A major part of the city economy is directly or indirectly linked to pilgrimage tourism. surrounding Mahakal Temple and other religiously significant temples of the city. Total 113 Shops have been developed under Mahakaal Lok Phase 1. Existing footfall is 1.5 Cr per annum and after Mahakaal Lok project it is expected to increase 2 fold.
An average influx of INR 500 per day in the city from tourism induced by Mahakal Temple. The expected influx of money due to this project will be INR 3 billion.
Aesthetic Enhancement of immediate surroundings under phase 1 and 2 of Mahakaal Lok will attract more tourists and will also appreciate the property value.
The Mahakaal Path contains 108 stambhas (Pillars) which depict Anand Tandav Swaroop (Dance form) of Shiv. The stambhas have lights, surveillance cameras and a public address system. The Mural wall along the corridor is based on Shiva Puraan stories such as Act of Creation, Birth of Ganesha, Story of Sati and Daksha, Creation of Veerbhadra, etc. This mural wall is 365 m long & 7.65 Metre in height. This wall was designed to maintain the aesthetic & hide the settlements on the periphery. Many religious sculptures depicting Lord Shiva life are installed along the Mahakal Path.
The path has religious trees such as Rudraksh, Bel, Parijat, Shami, Kailashpati, Saptaparni, Kadam, Kachnar, Mango, etc.
The Plaza area is spread over 2.5 Hectares which comprises of Nandi Dwar / Gate which is 26ft high. It is surrounded by Lotus pond which has 50 m diameter & contains the statue of Shiva along with fountains.
The Shiv Stambh of 54 ft. height with Panchmukhi Shiv on top, is surrounded by Saptarishis of 20ft height. As per the Tripurasur Vadh depicting the battle between Lord Shiva & 3 demons is also installed. This sculpture has 25ft Height, 15ft width and 60 ft. in length.
As per the Shiv puran, Ganesh & Kartikeya guard the area, so that Lord shiva can meditate. So, in the Plaza area, The statues of both are installed near Triveni Mandapam & Lotus pond.
The Triveni mandapam has an area of 18,600 sq.ft. which will provide a shaded area for people to rest. The Open Air theatre in the plaza area has a capacity of 500 people. This will be used for Yoga, Art & Cultural Performance activities.
The Naveraha vatika is built which depicts 9 planetary Gods with Surya Graha in the center and other graha around making a circle having all graha stones and information panel on the back. The lakefront lower deck also made it easier to take people closer to the lake which has a 111 ft. Shiv Vivaah mural wall. The plaza area as a whole can cater 20,000 visitors at a time.
Lighting and Beautification
The Mahakal temple & nearby temples are equipped with a modern lighting system. In Mahakal temple premises, LED facade lights are installed. Million colours can be selected via these lights. The sound system of the premise has also been upgraded and the light system is synchronised with sound.
Light and Sound Show
Light and sound show has been proposed in the newly developed phase | project area which shall have the light and sound show on the various sculptures and murals in the project area along with a water fountain and a water screen projection show in Rudrasagar lake.
Accessibility (parking, E-rickshaw)
The parking for 2 wheelers, cars & buses is situated near Triveni Museum. This parking space has a capacity of 400 ECS (Equivalent Car Space). Universal accessibility is kept in mind while designing so the premise has adequate ramps & wheelchairs. The parking area also contains restrooms & toilets for the visitors. Solar plant is installed in this premise to utilize renewable energy. These solar panels are also acting as shading devices for Vehicles. There is space for 20 E-rickshaw parking in the premise where a charging station is also installed. The parking capacity will get increased after the completion of Maharajwada 2 Complex and Meghdoot Van.
Convenience (Ticketing kiosks, Public Toilets)
The plaza area contains Kiosks which will be utilized as multipurpose shops. Toilets for Male, female, Transgender & Handicap people are provided at various locations inside the premises
Recreational (Restaurants, Audio Guides) Annakshetra of 1500 capacity is built in the premises. The Facilty centre 1 has the capacity of 1000 pilgrims while the new Facility centre 2 can cater 4000 pilgrims. The facility centre has a built up area of 64,000 sq. ft. area.
Crowd Management
For crowd movement, wide pathways, signages, ramps are provided. The number of exit points are more in the premise, so the pilgrims will exit out on higher rate and the crowd coming in will be managed easily.