ABOUT UJJAIN

Historic Perspective

History is interwoven with legend in the ancient town of Ujjain.
According to one legend, Shiva, the Destroyer of the Universe, descended to Mrityulok, the land of mortals, to get rid of Ujjain’s demon king, Tripura. Moreover, the blue god Krishna came to Ujjain to study under the great sage, Sandipani Muni, who taught the former in the Sandipani Muni Ashram. Myths apart, excavations at a site about 6km north of the town have revealed pottery and iron objects dating back to the 8th century b.c.


¤ The Great Kingdoms
Historic Perspective
The period between the 6th and the 3rd centuries b.c. witnessed the rise of ambitious potentates.
They successfully established four great kingdoms, or the Mahajanapadas in North India that included the kingdoms of Avanti, Vatsa, Kausala and Magadha. King Chandra Pradyota Mahasena ruled the kingdom of Avanti, with his capital at Ujjain. In the 4th century b.c., the first Mauryan ruler, Chandragupta I, ruled over Avanti.


¤ The Great Ruler Ashoka Turned Into A Buddhist Follower

In mid-3rd century b.c., Ashoka became the Governor of Avanti (Ujjain) as well as Taxila (presently in Pakistan) at the young age of 18, during the reign of his father, Bindusara. Ashoka ruled his domain with an iron hand and used ruthless means to annex neighbouring areas.
His tyrannical ways earned him the dishonour of being labelled as Ashoka, the Terrible. However, he became an ardent follower of Buddhism in 257 b.c. and laid the foundations of a group of stupas (domed structures that house relics of the Buddha) in Sanchi. He also constructed stupas in Ujjain, which was the first territory he ruled. Ashoka is reported to have built anything between 1,000 to 84,000 stupas, of which only a few remain today. Stone and metal statues of the Buddha have also been discovered in the district, confirming Buddhist influence in and around these areas

SANDIPANI ASHRAM

Only 2km from the ancient town of Ujjain is the famous hermitage of Sandipani Muni, the tutor of the blue god Krishna.Innumerable centres of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) across the globe are dedicated to exploring the spiritual path proposed by the Bhagwad Gitawhich was elucidated by Lord Krishna, himself a student of this hermitage at Ujjain

PEER MATSYENDRA

Pre-Islamic India held ascetics in great reverence, and the same respect was accorded to the peers and saints devoted to Allah.
Living in remote places, isolated from the rest of the community, they were believed to have attained mystic knowledge through severe penance.

NAVAGRAHA

In India, astronomy and astrology share an ancient bond. A legend recalling the birth of Moon and Mars in Ujjain indicates that they were studied here even in ancient times.
That is why we find a temple dedicated to the Navagrahas, or the nine planets of our solar system, in Ujjain.

JAMA MASJID

Although Ujjain may be known for its Hindu temples and sacred rivers making it an important Hindu pilgrimage, Muslim influences are also apparent. The Jama Masjid is a recent construction which radiates its presence in the centre of the town, not far from the Gopal Mandir.
The devotees of different religions tend to mingle well when destined to their respective temples and mosques in this bustling market area, acknowledging their faith in the supreme Power that controls this gigantic machine called Universe.

BADE GANESH JI

Situated near the tank of the Mahakaleshwar Temple, Bade Ganesha Ji Ka Mandir houses a massive statue of the elephant-headed God of Wisdom and Prosperity, Ganesha.
The head of the elephant symbolises sagacity, prudence and forethought that the Hindus attribute to divinity.

In the middle of the Ganesha temple lies a unique idol of loyalty and faith, that of the monkey-god, Hanuman. Nowhere else but in this temple Hanuman is depicted with five faces. Known as Panchamukhi (five-faced), Hanuman here symbolises courage, loyalty, devotion, strength, and righteousness. The Ganesha temple is also an important centre of learning

KALBHAIRAV TEMPLE

The city of Ujjain has numerous shrines dedicated to Bhairava, a fierce manifestation of Shiva, the Destroyer of the Universe.The Kalbhairava Temple is also believed to be associated with the cult of Tantra, an unorthodox secret cult with strong black magic overtones. Although Tantra practices on the sly are said to keep the enemy at bay, missing the target can spell doom to the practitioner.
Many sadhus or holy men with ash-smeared bodies and long matted hair may easily be spotted around this temple.

MAHA SHIVARATRI

Hinduism as a faith and way of life. It is many sided, bound by a common search for truth and has a large pantheon of gods and goddesses. Hinduism grew by a process of acceptance and assimilation. Hinduism is a mono-theistic religion, believing in the Supreme Being from whom emanates everything. The va
pantheon of gods and goddesses. Hinduism grew by a process of acceptance and assimilation. Hinduism is a mono-theistic religion, believing in the Supreme Being from whom emanates everything. The various manifestations of this Being are worshipped in visible forms to enable people to concentrate on the abstract Being. Swami Vivekanand also laid emphasis on the fact that for the purpose of concentration and worship the presence of a physical form is an absolute necessity.
On the 14th day of the dark half of Magh the great night of Shiva is celebrated. On this day the devotees of Shiva observe fast. Once a hunter set out for a hunt. He came near a pond, and for the purpose of hunting he climbed a "bel" tree (sacred to Shiva). Sitting on a branch he waited for game. But since the leaves obstructed his vision, he began to pluck a few leaves, which by chance fell on a Shiva Linga ("pindi"), which happened to be under that tree. Then a herd of deer came to drink water. The hunter took aim at a hind (female deer). But as she noticed the movement of the hunter, she cried out, "Please, wait a moment, before you shoot let me go home and meet my young ones for the last time. Afterwards you may take my life at your pleasure."

KALIYADEH PALACE

Kalidas Palace is situated on the banks of the Shipra river in Ujjain City in the State of Madhya Pradesh,India.This palace was restored by renowned Scindia family in 1920s. 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.
The central dome of the palace is a beautiful example of Persian architecture. Two Persian inscriptions found in one of the long corridors of the palace record the visits of Emperor Akbar and Jehangir to this palace.

MAHAKALESHWAR MANDIR

The presiding deity of time, Shiva, in all his splendour, reigns eternal in Ujjain. The temple of Mahakaleshwar, its shikhara soaring into the skies, an imposing façade against the skyline, 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. One of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India, the lingam at the Mahakal is believed to be swayambhu (born of itself), deriving currents of power (Shakti) from within itself as against the other images and lingams which are ritually established and invested with mantra-shakti.
The idol of Mahakaleshwar is known to be dakshinamurti, facing the South. This is a unique feature, upheld by tantric tradition to be found only in Mahakaleshwar among the 12 jyotirlingas. The idol of Omkareshwar Shiva is consecrated in the sanctum above the Mahakal shrine. The images of Ganesh, Parvati and Karttikeya are installed in the west, north and east of the sanctum sanctorum. To the south is the image of Nandi. The idol of Nagchandreshwar on the third storey is open for darshan only on the day of Nagpanchami.
On the day of Mahashivaratri, a huge fair is held near the temple, and worship goes on through the night

PANCHKROSHI YATRA

Also known as the Pancheshani Yatra, it is a grand tour of Ujjain in which thousands of people join in every year. The Chatdwar Yatra, the ceremonial visits to the four gates, is also associated with this Yatra. The legend goes that when Lord Shiva founded Ujjain at Parvati's behest on the banks of the Shipra, four gates were established to guard the city from all four directions.Four guardian deities, Pingaleshwar (East), Kayavarohaneshwar (South) Dardureshwar (North) and Bilveshwar (West) were appointed with Mahakaleshwar at the center of the town

KALIDAS ACADEMY

This academy was set up in Ujjain by the Government of Madhya Pradesh to immortalise the memory of the great poet dramatist, and to create a multidisciplinary institution to project the genius of the entire classical tradition with Kalidasa as the apex, enable research and study in Sanskrit classical and traditional performing arts, and facilitate its adaptation for contemporary stage in different cultural sittings and language groups. The academy complex consists of a theatre built according to the specification laid down by Bharata's Natya Shastra, an exhibition hall and theatre museum, library, lecture and seminary halls, research facilities for scholars

JANTAR MANTAR

Another place of astronomical importance and for star gazers is the Jantar Mantar (also called the Vedh Shala Observatory) established in the 17th century. Since, ancient times, Ujjain was the center of the studies and research of Hindu astrologers and astronomers and the observatory is evidence of the same. Jantar Mantar is derived from the words, Yantra and Mantra. It is located in the south eastern place of Ujjain and has four monuments. The first one, Samrata Yantra, 22 feet tall calculates the time. The second one, Nadi Walaya Yantra calculates the Equinoctial days. The third one, Dignasha Yantra calculates the positions of the planets and stars. The fourth and last one, Bhitti Yantra calculates the suns' declination and its distance from the zenith. It also has a telescope and a planetarium.

HARSIDDHI MANDIR

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.
According to the Shiva Purana, when Shiva carried away the burning body of Sati from the sacrificial fire, her elbow dropped at this place. There is an interesting legend in the Skanda Purana about the manner in which the Goddess Chandi acquired the epithet of Harsiddhi. Once when Shiva and Parvati were alone on Mount Kailash, two demons called Chand and Prachand tried to force their way in. Shiva called upon Chandi to destroy them which she did. Pleased, Shiva bestowed upon her the epithet of 'one who vanquishes all'.
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, present a glorious 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.
According to the Shiva Purana, when Shiva carried away the burning body of Sati from the sacrificial fire, her elbow dropped at this place. There is an interesting legend in the Skanda Purana about the manner in which the Goddess Chandi acquired the epithet of Harsiddhi. Once when Shiva and Parvati were alone on Mount Kailash, two demons called Chand and Prachand tried to force their way in. Shiva called upon Chandi to destroy them which she did. Pleased, Shiva bestowed upon her the epithet of 'one who vanquishes all'.
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, present a glorious an ancient well on

GOPAL MANDIR

Dedicated to lord Krishna, Gopal Temple in Ujjain presents a classic example of Maratha architecture. Built in the 19th century, by Bayajibai Shinde, this huge temple is placed in the middle of a big market. Its strategic position in the heart of the city attributes the popularity of the temple.


This temple is a marble-spired structure and the deity’s two feet tall statue is placed on a marble-inlaid altar with silver-plated doors. The door in the inner sanctum is the same door, which had been carried away by Ghazni from the Somnath temple. Mahadji Scindia recovered the door and now it has been installed in this temple.

CHINTAMAN GANESH

Chintaman Ganesh Temple is an antediluvian shrine that dates back to 11th -12th centuries. This ancient temple is highly revered and one of the most visited shrines of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. One can easily reach Chintaman Temple from anywhere in Madhya Pradesh by hiring private taxis. However, one can take regular buses that are available from Indore and Bhopal. Chintamani Ganesha Mandir is wholly made out in stone. It is believed that the temple was built during the reign of Paramaras in Madhya Pradesh (Malwa).
The temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, who is regarded as the Lord of beginnings as per the Hindu beliefs. In the traditional times, the Lord is known as 'Chintaharan', which literally means remover of all worries and tensions. The temple is thronged by crowds of people that come to do away with all their worries at the shrine of the Lord. The term 'Chintamani' is another name used for Lord Vishnu, who is considered as the preserver of the Universe as per Hindu Mythology.