Ujjain, the fifth largest city in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, is situated in the Ujjain district and is the district's administrative centre. Being one of the seven Hindu pilgrimage sites or tirtha, Ujjain has gained a lot of religious significance. It is famous for the major festival of Hinduism called Kumbh Mela, which is held after every twelve years and celebrated with great reverence.
Ujjain is a 5000 years old historic city with ancient culture and heritage. It was once known as the capital of a huge ancient empire, the Avanti Kingdom. The city has a glorious history and is believed to be blessed with no destruction as it is home to the God of destruction, Mahakal. Ujjain, the best city according to the Puranas, is known by names like Ujjaini, Avanti, Avantikapuri, Avantika, and many more. It is also regarded to have the footprints of lord Vishnu. Thus, the cultural and traditional significance of the city is worth enlightening.
The city is rich in culture and heritage and marks its historic importance with being the residence of Ashoka during his governing period of the Mauryan Empire. Ujjain remained a part of Gwalior state until Indian independence in 1947 when Scindias established them in Gwalior.
Ujjain is geographically situated on a beautiful plateau Malwa on the bank of the Kshipra river. The two major festivals celebrated in Ujjain are Sree Mahakaleshwar Savari and Panch Kroshi Yatra.
People of different religions reside in the city, but the majority is Hindus; thus, the main language used in the city is Hindi and English. Dal Bafla is one of the famous snacks of Ujjain. The best way to explore a new place is to have hands on the local food while visiting the famous regional sites.
Places to Visit in and Around Ujjain
Ujjain, an ancient city in Madhya Pradesh, India, is considered one of the holiest places in Hinduism. It is renowned for its rich history, stunning architecture, and spiritual significance. Here are some must-visit places in Ujjain:
- Mahakaleshwar Temple: One of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India, Mahakaleshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a major pilgrimage site for Hindus and is famous for its Bhasma Aarti, which takes place every morning.
- Kal Bhairav Temple: This temple is dedicated to Kal Bhairav, a manifestation of Lord Shiva. The temple is known for its unique ritual of offering liquor to the deity, which is believed to be consumed by the idol.
- Ram Ghat: Located on the banks of the Shipra River, Ram Ghat is a sacred site where the Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, is held every 12 years. It is a serene spot for meditation, rituals, and watching the evening aarti.
- Harsiddhi Temple: Dedicated to Goddess Harsiddhi, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, this ancient temple is known for its stunning architecture, featuring a unique Maratha-style lamp tower with 21 lamps.
- Chintaman Ganesh Temple: This temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and is believed to be one of the oldest in Ujjain. It is a popular destination for devotees seeking blessings for a happy and prosperous life.
- Ved Shala (Jantar Mantar): An ancient observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in the early 18th century, Ved Shala is an excellent example of the scientific and astronomical advancements of the time. It houses various astronomical instruments used to observe celestial events.
- Bhartrihari Caves: These ancient caves are associated with the great poet and philosopher Bhartrihari. The caves are believed to be the site where he meditated and wrote his famous works, the Neeti Shataka, Shringar Shataka, and Vairagya Shataka.
- Kaliadeh Palace: Situated on an island in the Shipra River, Kaliadeh Palace is an ancient palace known for its architectural beauty. It was once the center of Indian astronomy and astrology during the reign of Raja Jai Singh II.
- Gopal Mandir: This 19th-century temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and features intricate Maratha architecture, a silver-plated door, and a marble-inlaid sanctum.
- Siddhavat: A sacred banyan tree located on the banks of the Shipra River, Siddhavat is believed to hold spiritual powers and fulfill the wishes of devotees who perform rituals here.
These are just a few of the many attractions Ujjain has to offer. The city's spiritual ambiance and historical importance make it a must-visit destination for those seeking to explore India's rich cultural heritage.
Best Time to visit Ujjain
The best time to visit Ujjain is from October to March, as the weather is pleasant during these months. In the other summer months, it will be hot to visit the city as the temperature can reach upto 37 degrees. If one wants to experience the cold weather in Ujjain, then November to February are considered the best to adore winter months. Highly recommended to avoid a visit to Ujjain from June to September as this period is of heavy rainfall, which is not a good time to explore the destination.
Buses and Railway Connectivity
Ujjain is a popular destination, and many people visit Ujjain because of its religious reverence. Ujjain has a well-developed road network connecting the city to several major state or national destinations. One major roadway, State Highway 18 and 27, links Ujjain to Indore. The rail travel in Ujjain links the city to several regions of the country. The Ujjain Junction has various express train halts, including Indore Pune Express, Sabarmati Express, Malwa Express, Narmada Express, and the Avantika Express. The Dewas Gate and Nana Kheda are the main bus stations in the city. Also, mainly private buses run from the city to several states like Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Gwalior, Indore, Bhopal, Khajuraho, and Mandu. People have adopted online ways to book tickets, making travel more feasible.
Famous Bus Routes from Ujjain
- Ujjain to Indore
- Ujjain to Ahmedabad
- Ujjain to Bhopal
- Ujjain to Omkareshwar
- Ujjain to Delhi
- Ujjain to Pune
Famous Bus Routes to Ujjain:
- Indore to Ujjain
- Ahmedabad to Ujjain
- Bhopal to Ujjain
- Pune to Ujjain
- Jaipur to Ujjain
- Gwalior to Ujjain
Conclusion:
Tourists visit Ujjain because of its cultural diversity and significance, making it one of the best tourist attractions. The city is worth exploring and catches attention with its unique visiting sites. While moving to explore a new city, one should adopt road transport as it makes the journey to the destination memorable with beautiful sights and comfortable reach. Various Ujjain bus operators provide excellent services and smooth travel. Also, nowadays, we can do our things online and benefit from the services available. Similarly, we can hassle-free book online Ujjain bus tickets redBus, and enjoy a comfortable journey. The Ujjain online bus booking system lets us make reservations beforehand for our desired seats and benefit from the available offers.
