Are you planning a trip to Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, India?
In this article, you will learn about the top 9 places to visit in Ujjain – temples, ghats, kund and caves.
First, let us know about UJJAIN
Ujjain is a city in the Malwa region in the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India.
From the Mauryan Empire to the Mughals and then to Maratha Rule – Ujjain has seen it all. You will find cultural structures related to all three.
Ujjain is famous for its spirituality and temples. People believe that Ujjain has existed since the Pre-Mahararata Era. Avanti, Avanitaka and Avantikapur are the other names for Ujjain.
A holiday tour to Ujjain will make sure you have the most authentic cultural and spiritual experience in Madhya Pradesh.
Ujjain is at a distance of about 192 km from the state capital Bhopal and 55 km from Indore.
The city’s sacred river Shipra, the ancient temples, lakes and festivals like Kumbh Mela make Ujjain one of the most revered pilgrimage destinations for Hindus with a heritage that dates back to the Vedic era.
Top 9 Places to Visit in Ujjain
1. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
One of the twelve jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, Mahakaleshwar Temple is one of the most visited tantra temples of the Hindus in India.
The architechtural styles of Chalukya, Bhumija, and Marathas can be seen on it . It is believed that in the temple Lord Shiva in lingam is self-manifested.
Amplifying the spiritual experience, you can spend time at the Rudra Sagar Lake located beside it.
2. Ram Ghat
The holy Shipra River attracts a huge number of devoted Hindu pilgrims at Ram Ghhat in Ujjain.
It is one of the four sacred sites where the famous Kumbh Mela is held. Apart from the mela, attending the evening aarti at the ghat is a wholesome spiritual experience.
Among other temples at Ram Ghat, Chitragupta temple is the most revered one.
Cleanse your soul by taking a holy dip at the ghat’s Shipra River. The river is believed to have originated from the Varaha – the third incarnation of Lord Vishnu, according to the Hindu texts.
3. Kal Bhairav Temple
Kal Bhairav Temple is dedicated to Kal Bhairav. He is the city’s guardian deity. The interesting thing about this temple is that the deity is believed to drink alcohol.
You can also learn about the Tantra cult here. The temple does not have idols or images.
The deity of the temple is a natural rock formation beautifully adorned with a Maratha-style turban and vermilion.
4. Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar is an architectural marvel and an observatory. It was built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the seventeenth century.
Its outdoor complex is dotted with many huge astronomy tools that have been designed to be utilized by the naked eye.
It offers important insights into the movement of the sun and planets. The complex houses many interesting monuments, such as Nadivalaya Yantra, Shanku Yantra, Digyansha Yantra, and Samrat Yantra.
5. Bhairogarh
Bhairogarh is a quaint village located in the suburbs of Ujjain, between Mangal Nath and Kal Bhairav temples.
It has been known to be the hub of batik for hundreds of years. The village houses more than eight hundred artisans who have mastery in traditional batik printing.
This unique painting style is carried out on cushion covers, scarves, sheets, saris, napkins, handkerchiefs, and more!
The village is also famed for having remnants of structures that date back to the third and second centuries BC.
6. Mangalnath Temple
According to Matsya Purana, Mangalnath Temple is the birthplace of Mangal. The temple is situated on a hill. From the top, you can see the beautiful Shipra River too.
The temple is constructed of red-hued sandstone. It is believed to have been built on the spot where Shiva and the demon Andhakasura had a fierce battle.
A drop of sweat dropped on the ground during the battle from the forehead of Lord Shiva leading to the formation of the Shiva Linga.
7. Kaliadeh Palace
Kalideh Palace is also known as KD Palace.
The Sultan of Mandu built the palace during the time of Mahmud Khilji in 1458 AD. The magnificent Persian architecture can be seen in the palace’s central dome.
The palace was damaged during wars. However, it was restored in 1920 by Maharaja Sir Madho Rao Scindia. Earlier Sindhia dynasty used to stay here when they visited Ujjain.
It is located on the river banks of Shipra. One can enjoy a perfect view of the river flowing from both sides.
8. Gomti Kund
According to Hindu mythology, Gomti Kund holds holy waters found in different parts of the world. Devotees fill their bottles with the water of this kund and take it home.
It is believed that all the holy waters were summoned by Lord Krishna leading to the creation of the Gomti Kund.
In the Puranas, The Gomti Kund is mentioned to be the source of water supply to the Sandipani ashram in the olden days where Lord Krishna received education under Guru Sandipani.
9. Bhartrihari Caves
Bhartrihari Caves are at the banks of the River Shipra near Gadkalika Temple. These caves have been named after a famous sage and poet who lived here in the eleventh century.
It is also believed that King Vikramaditya, Ujjain’s legendary ruler has a close association with these caves. The entrances of the caves are very narrow making it a bit tricky to access.
Inside the caves, there are rooms, idols, stone pillars, and images of Hindu deities. The caves also house Bhagirathi’s statue in a sitting position.
Conclusion
I hope this article on the Top 9 places to visit in Ujjain has helped you plan your spiritual and cultural trip.
Be it spirituality, history, and culture – Ujjain has it all. Its significance dates back to the Vedic era, making it a popular pilgrimage destination.
Among its must-visit sites, the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple stands as a spiritual epicentre, while the Ram Ghat on the Shipra River offers a sacred and serene atmosphere.
The Kal Bhairav Temple provides a glimpse into unique tantric traditions, and the Jantar Mantar observatory showcases remarkable ancient scientific achievements.
For history enthusiasts, the Kaliadeh Palace and Bhartrihari Caves reveal layers of Ujjain’s history.
Bhairogarh village celebrates the enduring art of batik, and Mangalnath Temple enchants it with its mythological ties.
A visit to Ujjain ensures you a travel experience filled with devotion, heritage, and artistry. Don’t miss this when you visit Central India.
If you are looking for a historical and religious destination in Northeast India, you can visit Unakoti in Tripura.
In the Northern Himalayan region of India, you can plan to visit the monasteries of Ladakh for a religious and cultural experience.
