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Location - Ujjain (MP, India)
Name of Shiv - Kapaal Mochan
Kapaal Mochan Teerth

Its story has been taken from Skand Puraan, Avantee Kshetra Khand. Once, Lord Shiv arrived at Mahaakaal forest with a skull in his hand. All the trees and vegetation were delighted to find him in their midst. They requested lord Shiv to remain their forever. Lord Shiv told them that it was not possible for him to stay there forever but on being requested once again agreed to stay there for at least a year. After one year, when the time came for his departure, he released the skull there from his hand as a memorial.

When Lord Brahmaa came to know of this incident, he instructed all the deities to reach Mahaakaal forest without wasting any time so that a grand Yagya could be performed at the place where Shiv had left the skull. All the deities went to the said place and worshipped Lord Shiv by employing the rituals of Pashupat Vrat, which Lord Brahmaa had taught them. Lord Shiv became pleased by their devotion and said-- "Perhaps you all are not aware that there was a specific objective behind my act of releasing the skull from my hand. This act of mine was done to protect your lives but it seems you are unaware of its significance. In a way, all of you have already received my blessings in advance for your deep devotion. What else do you wish for?"

Deities were amazed by Shiv's statements and were wondering what Shiv was trying to convey. So, they requested Shiv to unravel the mystery so that they could understand what he meant to say. Lord Shiv said to them - "The followers of Maya were planning to kill you while you were busy doing penance but none of you was aware of their evil motive. I came to know about this in my deep state of meditation and dropped the skull from my hand. As soon as the skull touched the ground a thunderous sound was made as the result of which all the demons were killed instantaneously." All the deities thanked Lord Shiv for protecting their lives. In the course of time this particular place became famous as Kapaal Mochan temple and is presently situated in Ujjain, MP.

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