Ujjain

One of the seven sacred cities of Hindus, Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh boasts of a rich history and a wealth of cultural heritage. The city houses numerous majestic temples belonging to different eras. Ujjain is also famous for being one of the four sites for the Kumbh Mela. Situated on the banks of the Shipra River, the city was once the residence of Ashoka. Ujjain attracts huge number of tourists comprising devotees as well as domestic and international travellers. Ujjain lets you explore its various sites with religious, architectural and educational value.

Ujjain is famed for its 2,000 years old Batik Painting in which beautiful patterns are created on fabrics by using molten wax and coconut husk.

Attractions

Ujjain houses many ancient temples that reflect the glorious past of the city. One of the most popular temples is the Mahakaleshwar Temple. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingam shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in India. The five-storey temple houses the idols of various deities like Omkareshwar, Shiva, Parvati, Ganesh, Kartikeya and Shiva's bull - Nandi.

Another famous temple is the Kal Bhairav Temple dedicated to Kal Bhairav, who is believed to be the chief of the eight Bhairavs. The major attraction of the temple is the Shivalinga is the temple. During Mahashivratri, devotees in huge number come here to pay their homage.

Rebuilt by the Maratha rulers, the Harsiddhi Temple is another major attraction among the tourists. The temple is graced by the dark vermilion coloured idol of Goddess Annapurna between the statues of Goddess Mahasaraswati and Goddess Mahalaxmi. The temple's entrance is adorned by two pillars exhibiting Maratha art designed to hold oil lamps.

Mangalnath Temple, which is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Mangalnath or Mars, is another famous temple here. Exhibiting beautiful Maratha architecture, Gopal Mandir is a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Ram Ghat, which is considered among one of the oldest bathing ghats in India, is another major attraction in Ujjain. Ram Ghat is where the world famous Kumbh Mela takes place once in every 12 years. According to beliefs, taking a dip in the ghat washes off all sins.

Other major attractions in Ujjain are:

• Bhartrihari Caves
• Pir Matsyendranath
• Chintaman Ganesh Temple
• Chaubis Khamba Temple
• Ram Mandir
• Kaliadeh Palace

How to Reach Ujjain
By Air: Indore Airport is 55 km from the city and the closest one. From here, regular flights connect Ujjain to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and other major cities.

By Rail: Ujjain Junction is the main railway station with regular trains to all Indian metro cities.

By Road: There are state-run and private buses connecting Ujjain to major cities of Madhya Pradesh. Cabs are also available.