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Taking shelter in the heart of the country, the historic city of Ujjain encompasses popular temples in India, shrines, ancient monuments, and other tourist attractions that are visited by a profusion of devotees, ardent followers, history buffs and wanderers every year. Besides hosting the grand Kumbh Mela, which draws over 75 million people to the festival from all over the world once in every 12 years, the city is deemed as one of the top religious places in the country. Formerly known as Avantika, Ujjain has a long cultured past and continues to be an important place of pilgrimage and one of the most pious Hindu cities for Shaivites.
Located on the eastern bank of the holy Shipra River in the Malwa Region of Madhya Pradesh, Ujjain is considered the Greenwich of Indian by astronomers as the Tropic of Cancer drifts past the city’s iconic Ved Shala. Besides, Ujjain is also steeped in history. It was ruled by powerful kings such as Vikramaditya and Chandragupta II and served as a home to the legendary poet Kalidasa. There are innumerable religious sites in Ujjain that proffer a divine and cultural insight into the rich heritage of the city.
Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple is a prominent Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the most important holy places to visit in Ujjain. In fact, it is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, which are considered to be the holiest abodes of Shiva. Bordered by the massive Rudra Sagar Lake, the temple continues to be one of the most sacred and outstanding places of pilgrimage for Hindus providing visitors with an altogether different and unmatched peace of mind and composure. The temple showcases sculptural artistry and sophistication that takes a cue from the Maratha and Chalukya styles of architectural design and is complete with impressive images of Ganesha, Kartikeya, and Parvati adorning the walls. The temple also hosts many religious festivals and celebrations every year that are celebrated with great fervor and devotion. Apart from these, the splendid Bhasmaarti of the temple is a ritual ceremony that you should not miss.
Address: Jaisinghpura, Ujjain
Timings: 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM
The Kalbhairava Temple is supposed to be associated with the Tantra cult of Hinduism, which is a secret religious sect who thrived upon black magic. Bhairav is believed to have been a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva, and KalBhairava is the most sacred among the eight Bhairavas. The temple enshrines a Shivalinga opposite Nandi the Bull, which during Mahashivratri draws thousands of devotees to this religious site. You can also spot many sadhus with ash-smudged bodies and long matted hair around this temple. Legend has it, that the bull was gifted to Shiva and Parvati as a wedding present from King Daksha, the father of Goddess Parvati. The best time to visit Ujjain to complete your sacred journey in this temple is around the festival of Mahashivratri when devotees congregate in great numbers and the temple comes to life.
Address: Jail Road, BhairavGarh, Ujjain
Timings: 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Situated close to the Shipra River on the Fatehabad railway line, Chintaman Ganesh Temple is one of the oldest temples in Ujjain, housing a large idol of one of the most worshipped Gods of India, Lord Ganesh. It is believed that the largest idol here was born of itself; hence it’s of huge religious significance. Devotees throng to this temple because the deity here is commonly known as Chintaharan Ganesh meaning ‘the assurer of freedom from worldly anxieties’.
Address: Chintaman Road, Ujjain
Timings: 5:30 AM to 8:30 PM
The Harisiddhi Temple was built in honor of Goddess Harisiddhi and is one of the 51 Shaktipeetas across the country located near River Shipra. Legend has it that when Lord Shiva was performing the tandava while carrying Sati’s burning body, Vishnu released his chakra, which split her body to 51 parts. Devotees who flock to this temple believe that the Goddess’s elbow fell in Ujjain, where this temple was constructed by legendary King Vikramaditya. The idol of Mata Harshiddhi is beautiful and gives a truly divine feeling. The temple enshrines 3 Goddesses one on top of another, namely, Annapurna, the Goddess of nourishment, Mahasaraswati, the Goddess of wisdom and knowledge, and Mahalakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. The red sandstone temple is peculiar to the Maratha art of architecture.
Address: Harsiddhi Marg, Ujjain
Timings: 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Ram Ghat is located adjacent to the Harsiddhi Temple is amongst the most popular places to see in Ujjain. It is believed that this is the spot where Lord Ram used to take bath when he was here along with his consort Sita and brother Laxman, and as such, this ghat is one of the most frequented religious sites in Ujjain. The ghat is one of the four locations that host the auspicious Kumbh Mela that is held in every 12 years. On a regular day, devotees take a dip in the water here and perform their daily rituals, which is believed to wash away all your sufferings and help attain salvation. Apart from its religious significance, the ghat is also a good place for a leisurely walk especially in the early morning and at dusk.
Address: Jaisinghpura, Ujjain
Timings: 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Peacefully nestled amidst the lush environs of Sandipani Ashram, the GomtiKund is a steep water tank that holds a blend of all holy waters of the world. It is said that Lord Krishna summoned the holy waters from all the pilgrim spots and created the GomtiKund so that his guru, Sandipani, would not have to travel to them. The kund serves as the perennial source of water supply for the entire ashram till date. The ashram bears references in the Vedas and Puranas and when it was excavated, it disclosed 30 centuries old painted artefacts marking it a significant place of yester days. Remnants of excavation reveal a close resemblance to the articles found in Hastinapura, Indraprastha, Mathura, and Kausambi.
Address: Near Sandipani Ashram, Ujjain
Timings: 5:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Dedicated to Lord Krishna, this temple in Ujjain was built in the early 19-century and is a fine example of Maratha architecture. The shrine is located in the heart of the city in a big bazaar and is a marble-spired structure with a 2-feet tall statue of Lord Krishna perched on a marble-inlaid altar with silver-plated gateways. The temple was built by Bayaji Shinde, wife of Maratha King Daulatrao Shinde. Besides, the temple also houses idols of Lord Shiva, Parvati, and Garuda. Janmashtami and Harihar Parva are the best time to visit the temple and witness the great pomp and enthusiasm of devotees in this temple complex. It is said that the doors of Gopal Mandir were stolen by Mahmud of Ghazni, and were later restored by Mahadji Shinde.
Address: GopalMandir Marg, City Centre, Ujjain
Timings: 5:30 AM to 7:30 PM
An imposing structure, Chaubis Khamba Temple is yet another popular sacred place to visit in Ujjain. The captivating structure dates back to the late 9-century, and is a beautiful example of architectural marvel and features majestic entrance gate of the Mahakala-Vana, the remains of which provides an amazing spectacle. Two magnificent images of the guardian Goddesses of the temple, Mahalaya and Mahamaya are beautifully carved on each side of the gate with the inscription of their names on the footsteps. The temple offers an unmatched serenity and peaceful vibes one cannot miss. To make your visit more rewarding, you should visit this place during Navratri and MahaShivaratri.
Address: Gudri Chauraha, Ujjain
Timings: 5:30 AM to 6:00 PM
A visit to Ujjain remains incomplete without visiting the spiritual retreat of ISKCON Temple. Touted as one of the most iconic places in the city of Ujjain, this is a chain of temples all over the world, and the one in Ujjain has exceptional significance and welcomes a plethora of devotees and tourists daily. The soothing chants, the echo of the tinkering temple bells, and the unparalleled peace of the place come together to guarantee an escape into the world of spirituality. The gardens are brimming with colourful flowers, which further add to the beauty of the opulent temple complex.
Address: Mahashweta Nagar, Ujjain
Timings: 6:30 AM to 8:30 PM
The Shri Mangalnath Temple is situated a little away from the city of Ujjain and can be reached through a meandering road crossing the vast expanse of the holy Shipra River. According to the holy Matsya Purana, Mangalnath is the birthplace of the red planet, Mars, also called Mangal. During the yester years, the spot was famous for offering a clear view of the planet and was highly preferred for astronomical studies. The mystical temple is a highly revered shrine in Ujjain and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Address: Mangalnath Marg, SH 17, Ujjain
Timings: 6:00 AM to 7:30 PM
This one-of-a-kind temple in Ujjain is located on the Triveni Ghat on the banks of River Shipra and is touted as India’s first Navgraha mandir and the only Shani temple in the world where Shanidev is worshipped as Lord Shiva. Dating back to over 2,000 years, the temple pays homage to the nine planets Surya, Chandra, Mangal, Budh, Guru, Rahu, Shukra, Ketu, and Shani. Shani or the God of Justice is believed to be one of the strongest planets and has a great impact on astrological charts. According to Hindu mythology, Shani blesses and gives wealth and prosperity to follow good deeds as well as severely punishes those who indulge in evil deeds. Make sure you plan your visit and reserve one of the Saturdays or Amavasya nights to see the temple take on a completely different avatar. On Amavasya or new moon night, the temple complex is dotted with thousands of devotees who offer more than 5 quintals of oil to Shani. One can spot flocks of crows, which happen to be the vehicle of Shani, around the temple and feeding them is considered auspicious.
Address: Triveni Ghat, Shipra River, Ujjain
Timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Now that you know about the best temples and sacred places to visit in Ujjain, make sure you plan a visit to this enchanting city soon and embrace its calm and spiritual vibe. Ujjain is itself an ancient piece of art from the times of the great Ruler Ashoka. There are plenty of historical and religious places to visit in Ujjain present in almost every nook and corner of the city. Bow down in reverence for the ancient city once and you will surely not be able to resist the glory of heritage and charm proffered by Ujjain.
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April 15, 2024 
