Ujjain Temples Tourism

Ujjain: The Ethereal City of Temples

Famously called as the 'City of Temples,' Ujjain is located in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh. It is also called as 'Ujjaini,' 'Avantikapuri', 'Avanti' and 'Ujain'. It is one of the four sacred cities to host the world famous Kumbh Mela in India. Also, it is known for being the education centre for Lord Krishna, his brother Balrama and his friend Sudama.

Literary protagonists like Kali Dasa and legendary rulers such as Chandragupta II and prominent scholars like Brahmagupta are related with Ujjain. Several Hindu astronomers have considered this city as the Prime Meridian and considered it as the centre of several ancient maps. Even Buddhism grew here from the 4th century BC.

Following are the main attractions of Ujjain:

Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple: It is revered for its rich heritage. It hosts one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The Bhasm Aarti that takes place in the wee hours of the morning is very powerful and energetic. It also includes the idols of deities such as Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Ganesh, Kartikeya and others.

Kal Bhairva: King Bhadresen built the idol of Kal Bhairva on the banks of the river Shipra in the holy city of Ujjain. Kal Bhairva is the re-incarnation of Lord Shiva, associated with annihilation. The Shaivites consider it as the most important among the eight Kal Bhairvas. The two sects, Aghora and Kapalika are known for worshipping Kal Bhairva.

Jantar Mantar: It is also known as Vedh Shala Observatory. It was established in the 17th century in Ujjain. The two words 'yantra' and 'mantra' have been integrated to form the term 'jantar mantar.' In the ancient times, Ujjain was a seat for learning astronomy.

Bhartrihari Caves: Located near river Shipra, these caves derive their name from the name of Bhartrihari, one of the old and famous sages of India. The caves are located near to the Gadkalika Temple. The famous works of Bhartrihari sage are Nitishatak, Vairagyashatak and Shringarshatak.

Sandipani Ashram:  Lord Krishna and Sudama used to receive their education from Guru Sandipani from this ashram. Thus, this ashram has made Ujjain known for being an important centre for learning and education. Also, a stone was discovered here with numbers from 0 to 100 embellished on it.

Gomti Kund: It is one of the holiest places in Ujjain. This steep water tank is situated close to the Sandipani Ashram. It is believed that Lord Krishna called all the holy rivers to this Kund so that his Guru can perform the rituals in a peaceful manner. The articles that have been excavated here share a close resemblance to the items excavated form Indraprastha, Kausambhi, Mathura and Hastinapura.

Excursions from Ujjain: Travellers can explore near by places such as Indore ( 55km),  Bhopal ( 192 km) and Pachmarhi ( 390 km).

Shopping in Ujjain: The handicrafts made by tribal people in Ujjain are a favourite of the tourists. One can also buy pottery items and bamboo articles.

When to Reach: The best time to reach Ujjain is during the winter months when the weather is very pleasant for sightseeing.

How to Reach:
Air: The Indore Airport is located 5 km away from Ujjain.
Rail: The Ujjain railway station is well linked with the states with its railway system.
Road: One can take a bus to Ujjain from cities like Gwalior, Indore, Bhopal, Nagpur and Ajmer.