Ujjaini Mahankali Temple

The Sri Ujjaini Mahakali Temple in Secunderabad is dedicated to the goddess Mahakali and has drawn worshippers for about 190 years. Its story begins in 1813, when Suriti Appaiah, a palanquin bearer with an army unit posted to Ujjain, saw cholera kill thousands there. He and his fellows prayed at the Mahakali shrine and vowed to set up her image at home if spared. In July 1815, back in Secunderabad, they installed a wooden idol.

The present stone image, seated and holding a sword, a two-headed damaru, a spear and a pot of amrit under a silver kavacham, is said to have been found while the inner sanctum was being built in 1964. Goddess Manikyaladevi shares the shrine. The temple is busiest during Bonalu, when lakhs of devotees come for the Ashada Jathara in July or August.