Ujjain

About:

Ujjain,Ujjain, located in Madhya Pradesh, is one of the oldest and holiest cities in India, renowned for its rich history, religious significance, and as one of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism. It is famously known for the Mahakaleshwar Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva. Ujjain also plays a significant role in the Kumbh Mela, which is held every 12 years. With its spiritual ambiance, historical architecture, and vibrant cultural festivals, Ujjain is a must-visit destination for pilgrims and history enthusiasts.

It is a very holy city for the Hindus, a site for the triennial Kumbh mela. There are many great mythological legend about Ujjain city. Apart from mythological legends, the city has a long distinguished history. It was governed by the likes of Vikramaditya and Ashoka. Kalidas wrote his souls stirring poetry here.
Today, Ujjain represents an interesting blend of an age old legacy and the modern day lifestyle.

Location info:

Climate/Weather:

Summer (March to June): Hot and dry, with temperatures soaring up to 45°C. Monsoon (July to September): Moderate to heavy rainfall, providing a cooling relief but sometimes disrupting travel plans. Winter (October to February): Pleasant and cool, with temperatures ranging from 8°C to 25°C. Winters are the ideal time to visit for sightseeing and temple visits.

History of Ujjain:

Ujjain, known as Avanti in ancient times, was once the capital of the great emperor Chandragupta II of the Gupta dynasty. It has been a center of learning and culture since ancient times, with scholars like Kalidasa and Varahamihira being associated with the city. Ujjain has been a key city for religious, astronomical, and educational purposes throughout Indian history. The city has witnessed several dynasties, from the Mauryas to the Marathas, who contributed to its spiritual and cultural legacy. Today, it remains one of the holiest cities for Hindus, drawing millions of pilgrims each year.

Educational Institutions in Ujjain:

Primary and secondary education in Ujjain is offered by various schools which are affiliated to one of the boards of education, such as the Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education and CBSE Schools in Ujjain are either government run or are private (both aided and un-aided by the government).

Ujjain is well known for its university, Vikram University. It is the second oldest University in Madhya Pradesh,established in 1957. The city has one Government aided Engineering College Ujjain Engineering College (UEC) and numerous privately run Engineering and Management institues. Medical Colleges include Government aided Govt. Autonomous Dhanvantri Ayurveda College & privately held R.D.Gardi Medical College.

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Culture:

Ujjain the ruins of antiquity, Ujjain tourism offers information on number of interesting monuments. such as the Jai Singh Observatory, the Choubis Khamba Darwazaand the Kaliyadeh Mahal, apart from the numerous temples in the periphery of the town. A dip in the holy river Shipra is supposed to pave the way to Heaven for human beings. The river flows north passing through the bathing sites of Mangalghat, Narsimhaghat, Ramghat and Siddhavat before reaching the Rana Pratap Sagar Dam and finally draining into the Chambal River. The adjoining terrain is interspersed with teak and cultivated farmlands.

How to reach Ujjain?

By Air: The nearest airport is Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport in Indore, located about 55 km from Ujjain. Regular taxis and buses are available from Indore to Ujjain.

By Road: Ujjain is well-connected by road with major cities in Madhya Pradesh and neighboring states. Buses, taxis, and private vehicles can be used to travel from nearby cities like Indore, Bhopal, and Ratlam.

Tourist Attraction of Ujjain:

Omkareshwar:

Situated about 140 km from Ujjain, Omkareshwar is another Jyotirlinga temple on an island in the Narmada River.

The Mahakaleshwar temple at Ujjain is located near a lake; it has five levels, one of which is underground.The temple itself is located in a spacious courtyard surrounded by massive walls. The shikhara is adorned with sculptural finery. Brass lamps light the way to the underground sanctum. It is believed that prasada offered here to the deity can be re-offered unlike all other shrines.

Bade Ganeshji ka Mandir :

There is a sculptured image of Lord Ganesh in this temple, close to the tank near Mahakaleshwar.This temple situated above the tank near the Mahakaleshwar temple, enshrines a huge artistic sculpture of Ganesh, the son of Shiva. An idol of this size and beauty is rarely to be found. The middle of the temple is adorned by an idol of the pancha-mukhi (five faced) Hanuman. There is provision for learning of Sanskrit and Astrology in the temple.
This temple situated above the tank near the Mahakaleshwar temple, enshrines a huge artistic sculpture of Ganesh, the son of Shiva. An idol of this size and beauty is rarely to be found. The middle of the temple is adorned by an idol of the pancha-mukhi (five faced) Hanuman. There is provision for learning of Sanskrit and Astrology in the temple.

GadKalika:

The deity in this temple is believed to have worshipped by Kalidasa. Renovated in 7 AD by the Emperor Harshavardhana, it was restored yet again in the Parmar and, in modern times, by the erstwhile Gwalior State.

Navgraha ka Mandir (Triveni):

Situated on the Triveni Ghat of Shipra, this temple is dedicated to the nine planets.Situated on the Triveni Ghat of the Shipra, the temple is located away from the old site of Ujjaini town. It is dedicated to the nine planets, attracts large crowds on new moon days falling on Saturdays. Its religious importance has increased in recent years though there is no known reference to it in the ancient texts.

Bhartrihari Caves:

These caves are situated just above the bank of the Shipra near the temple of Gadkalika. According to popular tradition, this is the spot where Bhartrihari, who is said to have been the step brother of Vikramaditya, lived and meditated after renouncing worldly life. He is believed to have been a great scholar and poet. His famous works, Shringarshatak, Vairagyashatak, and Nitishatak, are known for the exquisite use of the Sanskrit meter.

Observatory:

Ujjain enjoyed a position of considerable importance in the field of astronomy. Great works on astronomy such as the Surya Siddhanta and the Panch Siddhanta were written in Ujjain. According to Indian astronomers, the Tropic of Cancer is supposed to pass through Ujjain. It is also the fist meridian of longitude of the Hindu geographers. From about the 4th century BC, Ujjain enjoyed the reputation of being India's Greenwich. The observatory extant today was built by Raja Jai Singh (1686-1743), who was a great scholar. He translated the works of Ptolemy and Euclid into Sanskrit from Arabic. Of the many observatories built by him at Jaipur, Delhi, Varanasi, Mathura, and Ujjain, the one at Ujjain is still in use actively. Astronomical studies are conducted through the Department of Education and the ephemeris is published every year. There is a small planetarium and a telescope to observe the moon, Mars, Jupiter and their satellites. The observatory is also used for weather forecasts

Maheshwar:

A beautiful town located on the banks of the Narmada River, about 140 km away, known for its handwoven Maheshwari sarees and historical significance.

Kalidasa Academia:

This academy was set up in Ujjain by the Government of Madhya Pradesh to immortalize the memory of the great poet dramatist-Kalidasa, and to create a multi-disciplinary institution to project the genius of the entire classical tradition, with Kalidasa as the apex, enable research and study in Sanskrit classical and traditional performing arts, and facilitate its adaptation for contemporary stage in different cultural settings and language groups. The Academy complex consists of a theatre, museum, library, lecture and seminary halls, mini stage for rehearsals, research facilities for scholars, and a large open air theater

Sandipani Ashram:

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation in Ujjain: