About Ujjain
Bounded by amazingly stunning, appealing and enthralling temples the prehistoric city of Ujjain is located on the eastern bank of Shipra river. In ancient times the present day Ujjain was called Ujjayini, Avanti, Avantika, Avantikapuri. In Hindu religion the city is one of the seven holy cities that give moksha or emancipation from the phase of birth and death. Ujjain also called the “City of Temples” celebrates the Simhastha Mela popularly known as the Kumbh Mela after every 12 years.
The city also has one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva. Renowned poets like Vedavyasa and Kalidasa have bestowed praise on the city. Vikramaditya, the well-known emperor, ruled the city with his eminent navratnas including Kalidasa.
Brief History of Ujjain
If you go by early literature, you can find that Ujjain has been mentioned in the Buddhist literature to be among the four great powers along with Vatsa, Kosala and Magadha. Over the centuries this land has been ruled by different dynasties who have left a mark in the pages of history. The city is known to have been the dwelling of Ashoka, the ruler of the
Maurya empire. In the Post-Mauryan period, the city has seen emperors
of the Sungas and the Satavahanas successively. Subsequent the ending of
the Satavahana dynasty, the town was kept hold of by the Rors from the
2nd to 4th century BC. The city has its mention as the city of Ozene in
the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, an historic Greek portrayal of sea
ports and business hub in the western Indian Ocean. The realm of Gupta dynasty saw a significant place in the chronicles of
that empire. The city is regarded to be the long-established capital of
King Chandragupta II, popularly called as Vikramaditya, at whose
courtyard the nine poets acknowledged as the Navaratna (nine jewels) of
Sanskrit literature are said to have thrived.
Ujjain became a focal hub for the mathematical and astronomical research during the 6th and 7th centuries. Some of the renowned mathematicians from the city included Brahmagupta, whose manuscript Brahmasphutasiddhanta was accountable for broadening the application of zero, negative numbers; Varahamihira, was the foremost to determine several trigonometric identities; and Bhaskaracharya popularly known as Bhaskara II, whose manuscript Lilavati busted novel position in several arena of mathematics.The invasion of the Delhi Sultanate led by Iltutmish in 1235 made the city experience extensive devastation and orderly vandalism of temples. The city of Ujjain happened to be the capital of Malwa during the realm of Mughal emperor Akbar. During the end of 18th century the city was the nerve centre of the Maratha leader Scindia. The increased trade opportunities in Gwalior led to the shift of the Scindias from Ujjain to Gwalior although Ujjain was a part of Gwalior state till India’s Independence. Following the trounce of the Marathas in the Third Anglo-Maratha War Gwalior state happened to be the princely state of the British Raj and Gwalior, Ujjain, and the bordering princely states became a part of the Central India Agency. After the county’s independence Ujjain became a part of the Madhya Bharat state. In 1956 Madhya Bharat was fused into the State of Madhya Pradesh. Read More.......
Mahakal Temple of Ujjain
The Mahakal Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, is a renowned and acclaimed Shiva temple. The Shivalinga in this holy place is believed to be the lone Jyotirlinga which face the south direction and for this reason it is acknowledged as Dakshinamukhi or the South-facing linga. It is the most admired and significant holy place of the city. Annually on the day Shivaratri which is believed to be the birthday of Lord Shiva, the temple sees a mammoth mass of devotees for darshan. The temple also attracts similar crowd in the month of Savaan, NagPanchami. Mondays of "Savan" month is believed to be very auspicious and there is a colossal procession of Lord Shiva idol which is attended by huge number of disciples from all over the country.
Geography and Climate of Ujjain
Ujjain is positioned on the
Malwa Plateau in Central India. The city has black and stony soil. The
vegetation is distinctive of arid regions with soybean,wheat, jowar and
bajra as the chief crops cultivated. Ujjain is
situated at 23.182778°N 75.777222°E with an average elevation of 491
metres (1610 ft) high. The city experiences archetypal weather
conditions of the inner Indian subcontinent. The summer months
(April–June) are callous with hotness reaching up to 45°C. In addition,
scorching wind in the afternoons, aggravate the heat. The winter months
(Nov.–Feb.) are pleasing and breezy with daylight temperatures normally
20°C, although it may plunge to subzero in the nighttime. The monsoon
appears in late June and the till September the city obtain reasonable
to heavy downpour. It is also known as the Greenwich of India. Read More..........
Tourist Places in Ujjain
Some of the popular tourist attractions in the city are:
- The Kaliyadeh Palace, situated on the periphery of the city is one of the palaces owned by royal Scindia family
- The Bhrathari caves, a prehistoric site has some fascinating myths allied with it. It is said that it has tunnels which lead directly to four primeval dhams
- The Vedha Shala put up by a Rajput king, Raja Jai Singh II, in the 1720s, is one of the observatories in the country which has put on display antique astronomical devices
- ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness): Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan Temple which as well has a guest house and a vegetarian restaurant serving authentic food
- Chintaman Ganesh temple is the largest prehistoric holy place of Lord Ganesha
- The Maa Wagheshvari temple is famous for its tall deity of the goddess Wagheshwari and "Sinh the lion and Dwar the gate"
- The Harsidhhi Temple is one of the Shaktipeetha which is located at 52 places in India
- The Sandipani Ashram is believed to be the place where Shri Krishna was educated with Balarama and Sudama
- The Prashanti Dham is Sai Baba's Ashram which is situated on the bank of the river
- There are few Jain temples like Jai Singh Pura Atishay Kshetra, Tapobhoomi, Avanti Parshwanath, Hanumant baag, Manibhadradham Bhairavgarh which is worth watching
- The Kothi Palace, the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan museum, and other temples like Harsidhhi (Durga Temple), Triveni (Nav Graha Shani Mandir), Gadh Kalika, Mangalnaath, Kaal Bhairav, Siddhhanath and Shiv Shakti are of great historic significance.
Shopping in Ujjain
In the city of Ujjain you can get a unique shopping experience ranging from the tribal handicrafts items to multinational branded apparels. The concept of globalization has broadened the shopping avenues with the birth of shopping malls housing ethnic handicrafts to world wide brands like Peter England, John Players etc. Treasure Bazaar, Divine Valley are the prominent shopping malls in the city offering all products under one roof. Apart from the shopping malls there are several streets and localities in Ujjain which cater to the shopping needs of the people. Some of them being Gopal Mandir Marg, Mahakaleshwar Marg, Jawahar Marg, Free Ganj. Read More.......
Festivals in Ujjain
Ujjain Simhastha (Kumbamela):This is a great bathing festival in the city which is celebrated after every twelve years. People take a holy dip in the Kshipra river which begins on the full moon day of the Chaitra month.
Karthik Mela: The annual fair which is generally conducted in the month of December( Hindu month of karthik) attracts number of visitors to the city.
All India Kalidas Samaroh: This an annual seven day long event featuring several art and music performance to pay tribute the great poet Kalidas.
Kalidasa Handmade Craft Mela: The craft mela showcases the handicrafts of the tribal population of the state which replicate the culture and tradition of the people of the state
Mahakal Shravan Sawari: Mahakal ki Sawari is the unique procession that takes place in the Shravan or Sawan month in the Mahakal Temple devoted to Lord Shiva. These unique rituals are performed on the Mondays in Shravan month.
Pancheshani Yatra: Ujjain Pancheshani Yatra is a tour of the city. As per the beliefs the devotee’s visit the four gates of the city on foot. This yatra covers 118 kilometrs (52 miles) in six days. It is believed that Lord Shiva created Ujjain for Goddess Parvati and formed four gates with deities in each direction- Pingaleshwar in the east, Bilveshwar in the west, Kayavarohaneshwar in the south and Darudureshwar in the north.
Maha Shivaratri: Ujjain is supposed to be the abode of Lord Shiva. On this day of Maha Shivaratri huge processions are carried out all through the city, with devotee’s crowd on the street to grasp a glance of the honored deity of Lord Shiva.
Karthik Mela: The annual fair which is generally conducted in the month of December( Hindu month of karthik) attracts number of visitors to the city.
All India Kalidas Samaroh: This an annual seven day long event featuring several art and music performance to pay tribute the great poet Kalidas.
Kalidasa Handmade Craft Mela: The craft mela showcases the handicrafts of the tribal population of the state which replicate the culture and tradition of the people of the state
Mahakal Shravan Sawari: Mahakal ki Sawari is the unique procession that takes place in the Shravan or Sawan month in the Mahakal Temple devoted to Lord Shiva. These unique rituals are performed on the Mondays in Shravan month.
Pancheshani Yatra: Ujjain Pancheshani Yatra is a tour of the city. As per the beliefs the devotee’s visit the four gates of the city on foot. This yatra covers 118 kilometrs (52 miles) in six days. It is believed that Lord Shiva created Ujjain for Goddess Parvati and formed four gates with deities in each direction- Pingaleshwar in the east, Bilveshwar in the west, Kayavarohaneshwar in the south and Darudureshwar in the north.
Maha Shivaratri: Ujjain is supposed to be the abode of Lord Shiva. On this day of Maha Shivaratri huge processions are carried out all through the city, with devotee’s crowd on the street to grasp a glance of the honored deity of Lord Shiva.
Food in Ujjain
The city is famous for its Malwa Cuisine. However the city being a pilgrim location, there are loads of restaurants offering pure vegetarian cuisine encompassing the traditional cuisine. Some of the best restaurants in the city are Shree Ganga Restaurant, Hotel Raj palace, Hotel Shrimmaya etc. Read More.......
Transport in Ujjain
Ujjain is well-connected by rail, road and air. The nearby airport is Indore Airport. The city has a well established rail network connecting major Indian cities. There are about three railway stations in Ujjain namely Ujjain Junction Main, Vikram Nagar and Chintaman (Meter Gauge). The road network of the city is on par with other metro cities of Madhya Pradesh with the SH-27 and SH-18 passing through the city and connecting Indore and Dewas. Dewas Gate is the main bus stand in the city from where you can board a bus to Bhopal, Indore, Gawlior or any other part of Madhya Pradesh. Nanakheda is another bus stand in the serving the city. Read More......
Ujjain at a glance
State: Madhyya Pradesh
Languages spoken: Hindi,Malavi
Altitude: 491 metres (1610 ft)
Winter temperature: 17°C-20°C
Summer temperature: 31°C-45°C
Best time to visit: October To March
STD Code: 0734
Major tourist attractions: Mahakaleshwar Temple, Bade Ganeshji, Harsiddhi Temple, Bhartrihari Caves, Kal Bhairava Temple, Sandipani Ashram, Mangalnath Temple, Shipra River, Gadkalika Temple, Iskcon Temple.
Major festivals and fairs: Maha Shivaratri, Pancheshani Yatra, Mahakal Shravan Sawari, Ujjain Simhastha (Kumbamela), Karthik Mela, All India Kalidas Samaroh, Kalidasa Handmade Craft Mela.
Languages spoken: Hindi,Malavi
Altitude: 491 metres (1610 ft)
Winter temperature: 17°C-20°C
Summer temperature: 31°C-45°C
Best time to visit: October To March
STD Code: 0734
Major tourist attractions: Mahakaleshwar Temple, Bade Ganeshji, Harsiddhi Temple, Bhartrihari Caves, Kal Bhairava Temple, Sandipani Ashram, Mangalnath Temple, Shipra River, Gadkalika Temple, Iskcon Temple.
Major festivals and fairs: Maha Shivaratri, Pancheshani Yatra, Mahakal Shravan Sawari, Ujjain Simhastha (Kumbamela), Karthik Mela, All India Kalidas Samaroh, Kalidasa Handmade Craft Mela.