Ujjain one of the seven sacred Hindu cities in India
Ujjain is the ancient city of Madhya Pradesh and an important Hindu pilgrimage destination
Ujjain sacred city of India is located in the state of western Madhya Pradesh, central India. It is located on the Malwa Plateau on the eastern side of the Sipra (Shipra) River, a tributary of the Chambal River.
Ujjain is one of the seven sacred Hindu cities. Its name comes from the Sanskrit jai ("victory").
Every year hundreds of thousands of pilgrims come to bathe in the sacred waters of the river; every twelve years the KUMBHA MELA is celebrated which attracts a million faithful.
The River Ghats are teeming with pilgrims: women in saris, people burning incense, others throwing garlands and flowers on the river and some feeding lentils to turtles.
The history of the city dates back to ancient temples when it was a viceroyalty of Ashoka and was also the capital of Vikramaditiya, the legendary founder of the Samvat era.
Near the Ghats is the Jantar Mantar, the partially ruined Astronomical Observatory built by Man Singh 2nd in 1733.
About 8km north of the city is the restored palace of the Sultans of Mandu which was also the residence of the Maharajas of Gwalior when they came to visit.
In the surroundings of Ujjain there are numerous temples and sacred places on the banks of the Sipra river, including for example the various temples dedicated to planetary deities such as Shani (Saturn), Mangalam (Mars) and Navgraha (the Nine Planets), further evidence of the permanence in situ of the ancient Hindu cosmological tradition.
Tourist attractions of Ujjain:
Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, shrines said to be the holiest abodes of Shiva.
The temple is situated on the side of the sacred Shipra river. The presiding deity, Shiva in lingam form, is believed to be Swayambhu, who draws currents of power (Shakti) from within herself with respect to the other images and lingams which are ritually established and invested with mantra-shakti.
Shree Mahakaleshwar temple is an important pilgrim destination.
Chintaman Temple of Ganesh
Chintaman Ganesh is one of the most famous Ganesha temples in the country. This temple is built on the banks of the Kshipra river on the Fatehabad railway line and is located about 7 km southwest of Ujjain city.
The temple now stands in the center of the city market.
The Ganesha idol enshrined in this temple is supposed to be swayamabhu (self-manifested).
Kal Bhairav temple
Kal Bhairav Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Kal Bhairav, the guardian deity of the city. Situated on the banks of the Shipra River, it is one of the busiest temples in the city, visited daily by hundreds of devotees.
Harsiddhi Temple
Harsiddhi Temple is a sacred Hindu temple located near Mahakal Temple, it is one of the holiest temples in India and among the popular religious places in Ujjain to visit.
Dedicated to Goddess Parvati, Harsiddhi Temple is one of the 51 Shaktipeeth of Mata Sati. According to the legend, when Goddess Parvati went into the sacrificial fire, Lord Shiva brought her body and her elbow fell here and thus the temple was born. The main deity is painted with a dark vermilion color in the center of a very large temple complex. Tourists can also pay their respects to the idols of Goddess Annapurna, Goddess Mahalakshmi and Goddess Mahasaraswati.
The architecture of the temple has some Maratha influences. It has four entrances, one in each direction, and the main entrance is on the eastern side. The Sri Yantra, the symbol of power or shakti, is also enshrined in the temple. The two lamp-adorned pillars here are special features of Maratha art. These lamps lit during Navaratri present a glorious sight. There is an ancient well on the premises and an artistic pillar adorns its top.
Ram Ghat
Ram Ghat, located on the banks of the Mandakini River, is one of the most visited religious destinations in Uttar Pradesh. Just like many other places in this district, it is believed to have hosted an episode from the mythological epic, the Ramayana.
Find a place on the stairs leading up to the ghat and sit for a while. You will feel the serenity in the air.
Palace of Kaliadeh
An ancient site of the city of Ujjain, Kaliadeh Palace is a delight for history lovers.