|
|
Ujjain is an ancient city of central India in the
Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh on the eastern bank of the Kshipra River. It
is the administrative centre of Ujjain District and Ujjain Division. In
ancient times the city was called Ujjayini and is referred to as Ozene by
Ptolemy. It has been the first meridian of longitude for Hindu geographers
since the 4th century BCE. It is one of the seven sacred cities of the
Hindus and the Kumbh Mela religious festival is held there every twelve
years. It is also home to Mahakal one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines to
the god Shiva.
Geography :- Ujjain is situated on the Malwa Plateau in Central
India. The soil is black and stony. The vegetation is the typical of arid
regions with thorny trees like babul and acacia dominating the landscape.
Soybean, wheat, jowar and bajra are the main crops grown.
Climate :- Ujjain experiences typical climate conditions of the
interior Indian subcontinent. The summer months (April–June) are harsh with
temperatures reaching up to 45°C. In addition, hot winds (called loo) may
blow in the afternoons, worsening the heat. The winter months (Nov.–Feb.)
are pleasant and cool with daytime temperatures typically 20°C though it may
drop to 3°C in the night. The monsoon typically arrives in late June and the
months of June till September receive moderate to heavy rainfall. There are
periods of rainfall followed by long periods of bright sunshine and high
humidity. The month of October generally is very warm and with high
humidity.
Tourism :- Ujjain is a holy city for Hindus and has many places to
visit for the religiously inclined. The Mahakal Temple one of the twelve
Jyotirlings is the most famous and venerated Shiva temple. The Shivling in
this temple is supposed to be the only Jyotirling which faces south and
hence it is known as Dakshinmukhi or the south facing ling. Other temples
include MahaKaleswareswari temple one among the Astadasa MahaSakti Peethams,
Harsidhhi , Chintaman Ganesh, Gadh Kalika, Kaal Bhairav, Sandipani Ashram
and Mangalnaath.
Ujjain being an ancient city is home to many monuments that have survived
from the ancient period. The most stunning example is the Kaliyadeh Palace
on the outskirts of the city which is a fine piece of ancient Indian
architecture though in poor upkeep. The Bharthari Gufa is an ancient cave
which has some interesting legends associated with it. The Observatory built
by a Rajput king, Raja Jai Singh II, is one of four such observatories in
India and features ancient astronomical devices.
| |
| |
HOW
TO REACH
By Air - The nearest airport is at Indore, 55 km away, is
connected by air to Bhopal, Bombay, Delhi and Gwalior.
By Rail - Ujjain is an important railway station on the
Western Railway network and connected with most of the major cities
in India.
By Road - Good motorable roads connect Ujjain with Ahmedabad
(402 km), Bhopal (183 km), Bombay (655 km), Delhi (774 km), Gwalior
(451 km), Indore (53 km), Khajuraho (570 km), Mandu (158 km).
WHEN TO GO
Best time to visit is between October and March.
|
WHAT TO SEE |
|
|
Mahakaleshwar : The Mahakaleshwar temple at
Ujjain is located near a lake. It has five levels one of which is
underground. The temple itself is located in a spacious courtyard
surrounded by massive walls. It is believed that prasada offered here to
the deity can be re-offered unlike all other shrines. The temple of
Mahakaleshwar, its shikhara soaring into the skies, evokes primordial
awe and reverence with its majesty. The Mahakal dominates the life of
the city and its people, even in the midst of the busy routine of modern
preoccupations and provides an unbreakable link with past traditions.
|
|
|
Bade Ganeshji Ka Mandir : This temple situated
above the tank near the Mahakaleshwar temple, enshrines a huge artistic
sculpture of Ganesh, the son of Shiva. An idol of this size and beauty
is rarely to be found. The middle of the temple is adorned by an idol of
the pancha-mukhi (five faced) Hanuman. There is provision for learning
of Sanskrit and Astrology in the temple. |
|
|
Chintaman Ganesh : The temple is built across
the Shipra on the Fatehabad railway line. The Ganesh idol enshrined here
is supposed to be swayambhu born of itself. The temple itself is
believed to be of considerable antiquity. Riddhi and Siddhi, the
consorts of Ganesha, are seated on either side of Ganesha. The
artistically carved pillars in the assembly hall date back to the
Paramara period. Worshippers throng to this temple because the deity
here is traditionally known as Chintaharan Ganesh meaning "the assurer
of freedom from worldly anxieties". |
|
|
Bhartrihari Caves : These caves are situated
just above the bank of the Shipra near the temple of Gadkalika.
According to popular tradition, this is the spot where Bhartrihari, who
is said to have been the step brother of Vikramaditya, lived and
meditated after renouncing worldly life. He is believed to have been a
great scholar and poet. His famous works, Shringarshatak,
Vairagyashatak, and Nitishatak, are known for the exquisite use of the
Sanskrit meter. |
|
|
Kaliadeh Palace : Its is situated on the banks
of the Shipra, the island-like site immediately conjures up the natural
beauty of ancient Ujjain which poets down the ages have waxed lyrical.
The glorious landscape of the flowing river on both sides of the palace
and the man-made tanks and channels with water gurgling through them
provide a spectacular backdrop to the imposing building.
|
|
|
Harsiddhi Temple : This temple occupies a
special place in the galaxy of ancient sacred spots of Ujjain. Seated
between the idols of Mahalaxmi and Mahasaraswati, the idol of Annapurna
is painted in dark vermilion colour. The Sri Yantra, the symbol of power
or shakti, is also enshrined in the temple.The temple was reconstructed
during the Maratha period and the two pillars adorned with lamps are
special features of Maratha art. These lamps lit during Navaratri. There
is an ancient well on the premises and an artistic pillar adorns the top
of it. |
|
|
Vikram Kirti Mandir : It is established on the
occasion of the second millennium of the Vikram era as the cultural
centre to perpetuate the memory of Vikramaditya, the Vikram Kirti Mandir
houses the Scindia Oriental Research Institute, an archaeological
museum, an art gallery and an auditorium. The Scindia Oriental Research
Institute has an invaluable collection of 18,000 manuscripts on various
subjects and runs a reference library of important oriental
publications. |
|
|
Sandipani Ashram : The fact that ancient Ujjain
apart from its political and religious importance, enjoyed the
reputation of being a great seat of learning as early as the Mahabharata
period is borne out by the fact that, Lord Krishna and Sudama received
regular instruction in the ashram of Guru Sandipani. The area near the
ashram is known as Ankapata popularly believed to have been the place
used by Lord Krishna for washing his writing tablet. The numerals 1 to
100 found on a stone are believed to have been engraved by Guru
Sandipani.The Gomti Kunda referred to in the Puranas was the source of
water supply to the ashram in the olden days. An image of Nandi
belonging to the Shunga period is to be found near the tank. The
followers of Vallabha sect regard this place as the 73rd seat of the 84
seats of Vallabhacharya where he delivered his discourses throughout
India. |
|
WHERE TO EAT
There are so many good restaurants with different delicacies, and all the
major hotels has their own specialty restaurant and bar.
TOP
|
|
