Ujjain, a historic city in Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, is a treasure trove of cultural, historical, and spiritual attractions. Ujjain is Known as one of the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri) of Hinduism. Ujjain is renowned for Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga & other temples, ghats, and the famous Kumbh Mela. This Ujjain travel guide will help you plan an enriching and fulfilling visit to Ujjain, ensuring you don’t miss any of these top places to visit in ujjain.
Places To Visit in Ujjain – Ultimate Travel Guide & Itinerary for 2 days
Ujjain Mahakal Temple :
Begin your journey with a visit to the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and the biggest attraction of Ujjain. The temple is known for its unique Bhasma Aarti, a ritual performed at 4 AM every day. Make sure to book your slot in advance to witness this captivating ceremony. The Mahakaleshwar lingam is believed to be self-manifested, making it one of the most revered Jyotirlingas in India.
Opening Hours: 3:00 AM
Location: Jaisinghpura, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh 456006
Distance from the city: 2 km
Apart from the Mahakaleshwar temple there are other well known pilgrim sites in and around Ujjain, which are famous for their historic and ancient roots. When you are planning to visit Ujjain, you would be amazed to include these in your travel plan as they are all a few kms away from the city and you can easily travel to those sites by road. Below are a few iconically historic and devotional places to visit in Ujjain during your trip.
Mangalnath Temple:
Located at the serene banks of the Shipra river, Mangalnath temple holds a great position among the other sacred sites in and around Ujjain. This temple is famous for lord Mangal also known as Kuja, one of the Navagrahas in the hindu astrology. The god is associated with planet Mars and known to hold sway over aspects like courage, determination, energy. Devotees visit the Mangalnath temple to seek blessings and attain strength, overcome obstacles in their lives.
Over the years Mangalnath temple has gone through many reconstructions by improving its architectural splendour. The significance of Mangalnath temple is beyond religious connecting it to ancient Indian science and astronomy. It is said that this temple is taken as a focal point to study the movement of celestial bodies and for astronomical observations.
One of the auspicious occasions at the Mangalnath temple is the Magala gauri Vrat festival, dedicated to Goddess parvati, during this festival season devotees offer prayers to seek blessings of goddess parvati for fertility, marital harmony and well being.
- Timings: 5 AM to 11 PM
- Location: Near Harsiddhi Temple, Ujjain
- Entry Fee: Free
- Distance from Ujjain Railway Station: 2 km
Bade Ganeshji ka Mandir
The Bade Ganesh temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesh, who is worshipped as god of beginnings. The Bade Ganeshji ka Mandir is located near the markets of the Ujjain city in Madhya Pradesh. It is believed that the lord ganesh himself has selected this location to reside, the temple was said to be built where the Lord Ganeshji appeared in the form of a large idol, which got the name as Bade Ganeshji.
One of the striking features of this temple is its massive Lord Ganesh idol, which is made of a single piece of marble and stands as the centre of attraction to the devotees who offer prayers, flowers and many sweets to Lord Ganesh seeking the blessings for prosperity, success and happiness.
The temple also has a majestic architecture which is a blend of ancient and modern sculpture styles, leaving the visitors in that awe-stuck feeling as long as they are in the temple premises. The significant occasion at Bade Ganeshji ka Mandir is during the ganesh chaturthi, a 10 day celebration for the birth of lord Ganesh is performed at the temple where it is adorned with spiritual rituals, colourful decorations are performed to honour the lord Ganeshji deity.
- Timings: 5 AM to 10 PM
- Location: Near Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain
- Entry Fee: Free
- Distance from Ujjain Railway Station: 1 km
Kal Bhairav Temple
The history of Kal Bhairav temple dates back to many centuries, this temple is related to lord Bhairava who is considered as the guardian of Ujjain, as Ujjain is one of the holiest cities in India as it is associated with twelve jyotirlingas. What makes the Kal Bhairav temples distinctive from other shrines is its costumes and rituals. This temple is a must visit place in ujjain.
The famous rituals done at Kal Bhairav temple is that the devotees offer alcohol to the deity. It is believed that offering alcohol to the lord symbolises the submission and surrendering one’s ego and desires by paving way for spiritual liberation. This unique ritual attracts several visitors from far and wide across the world who come to the Kal Bhairav temple to seek his protection.
Another unique tradition at the Kal Bhairav temple is Panchkroshi yatra, which is done by the devotees to get the lord’s blessings. The pilgrimage is done by circumambulating the city by covering a distance of nearly 100 kms and visiting several sacred places related to lord Bhairav devotees who believe that doing this with devotion would fulfil their wishes granting spiritual upliftment.
- Timings: 5 AM to 11 PM
- Location: Near Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain
- Entry Fee: Free
- Distance from Ujjain Railway Station: 1 km
Ram Ghat Temple
This site is devoted to lord rama who is considered as the seventh incarnation of the almighty lord Vishnu. Legends say that during his exile from the city ayodhya, lord rama with his wife sita and Lakshmana, visited the city Ujjain making the city a sacred site for devotees to seek spiritual redemption.
The ram ghat is adorned with elegant stairs leading down to the Shipra river, where visitors and devotees take a dip in the purifying waters and perform the rituals to cleanse their sins for attaining spiritual purity. The most significant features of ramghat is majestic Shipra kund, a massive water tank located at mid of the ghat which is believed to have mystical powers Devotees gather at this tank to perform several rituals like offering prayers, perform ancestral rites to bring them closer to divine and spiritual blessings.
The famous festival celebrated at ram ghat is kumbh mela, that occurs once in every 12 years. Kumbh mela attracts several millions of people world wide. During this time the entire ram ghat transforms into a vibrant site of devotion with colourful decorations and ceremonial rituals taking place amidst the spiritual chanthings and prayers.
Harsiddhi Mata Temple
A short distance from Mahakaleshwar lies the Harsiddhi Temple, a revered shrine dedicated to the goddess Harsiddhi. This temple holds significant spiritual importance and is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Ujjain. The temple’s architecture is striking, showcasing the elegance of the Maratha era with intricate designs and robust structures that captivate visitors.
One of the most notable features of the Harsiddhi Temple is the two tall lamp pillars, known as Deep Stambhs. These towering structures are adorned with numerous lamps that, when lit, create a mesmerizing spectacle, especially during festivals and special occasions. The illumination of these Deep Stambhs adds a mystical charm to the temple, enhancing its sacred atmosphere.
Inside the temple, the main deity, Goddess Harsiddhi, is enshrined. Devotees flock here to seek blessings and offer their prayers. The temple complex also includes smaller shrines and spaces for meditation, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in spiritual contemplation.
The Harsiddhi Temple is not just a place of worship but also a cultural landmark. Its historical significance, coupled with the serene and spiritual ambiance, makes it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Ujjain. Whether you are a devotee or a history enthusiast, the Harsiddhi Temple promises a profound and enriching experience.
- Timings: 6 AM to 10 PM
- Location: Near Ram Ghat, Ujjain
- Entry Fee: Free
- Distance from Ujjain Railway Station: 2 km
Other places to visit in Ujjain:
There are other scenic places in Ujjain apart from the spiritual temples and few of them that you would not want to miss are the Mahakal Lol Corridor and Sandipani Ashram. You need not go out of way to visit these places as they are present on your way to the above temples. Include these sites to visit in your trip plan for having a more vibrant experience during the visit to Ujjain.
Mahakal Lok Corridor
Mahakal lok corridor is a project undertaken aimed to transform the historic city Ujjain by enhancing the pilgrimage experience of devotees. At the centre of Mahakal Lok Corridor stands the Famous and sacred Mahakaleshwar temple which is dedicated to the lord shiva.
And the corridor is surrounded by many other attractions. One of the most enchanting sites of Mahakal Lok corridor is rudra sagar lake, located adjacent to the Mahakaleshwar temple, it is believed that the lake has a mythological origin, hence devotees immerse themselves in meditation and prayers at this location. Another scenic attraction of Mahakal Lok corridor is the Shipra riverfront development, which is undertaken to transform the Shipra river into a vibrant recreational and cultural hub.
Devotees who visit Shipra river consider the holy water would cleanse their sins and gather to the dips and perform rituals to enhance their spiritual purity apart from that the government is planning to include gardens and Ghats where the devotees can gather to perform cultural events. Mahakal Lok Corridor aims to create a memorable pilgrimage experience at Ujjain for the devotees by integrating the natural landscapes, sacred sites and cultural attractions to promote tourism and generate economic opportunities.
- Timings: 6 AM to 10 PM
- Location: Near Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain
- Entry Fee: Free
- Distance from Ujjain Railway Station: 2 Km
Sandipani Ashram:
Sandipani Ashram, was founded by sage Sandipani Muni, a revered figure in hindu lore. Ancient writings say that Sandipani muni is a guru of great wisdom and great spiritual insight. The significance of this ashram revolves around the association with lord krishna, who is considered as the eighth incarnation of lord vishnu.
Legend has it that during their childhood, Lord Krishna and his brother Balarama received their education from sandipani mudi in the ashram located on the banks of Shipra river. For several years the ashram has served them where they were immersed in the study of philosophy, martial arts, scriptures and other disciplines. The Sandipani Ashram has served several other sages and scholars over the years and is considered as one of the vibrant sites to visit in the city of Ujjain.
It is believed that the teachings by sandipani muni at the ashram has shaped the intellect and character of lord krishna and laid the foundations for his divine acts on earth. Each and every corner of the ashram resonates with the ancient chants, prayers and ritual creating the atmosphere for spiritual contemplation.
- Timings: 7 AM to 7 PM
- Location: In the suburbs of Ujjain
- Entry Fee: Free
- Distance from Ujjain Railway Station: 10 km
Ujjain Itinerary for 2 days
Day 1
- Check into hotel
- Afternoon : Mahakaleswar Darshan
- 6:00 pm – Attend Shipra Aarti at Ramghat & Ramghat temple visit
- 8:00 Pm – Visit Mahakal Lok corridor
- After That Dinner & Take Rest
Day 2:
- Attend Mahakal Basma Aarti at 4:00am (if you pre book basma aarti tickets)
- Visit Mahakal Sakthi Peetam, Mangalnath temple, kala bhairava temple & bada ganesh temple.
- At evening 6:00 pm visit Harsiddhi Mata temple & experience Ganesh aarti & Harsiddhi aarti.
- Have dinner & head back to your stay.
If you have another day, you can plan for Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga temple which is around 140 km far away from ujjain.
Ujjain to Omkareshwar temple
There is another Jyotirlinga, located near Ujjain approximately 140 kms away. It usually takes around 3 to 4 hours to reach this location from Ujjain by road depending on the traffic and mode of transportation. If you think you have extra time or if you can spare another day you can check out this Jyotirlingas as well before you go back from the Ujjain trip.
Omkareshwar temple also holds a remarkable reputation for its traditional architecture and is a well known pilgrimage site drawing devotees across the world every year. It is also believed to be one of the twelve holiest shrines which is dedicated to lord shiva.
Conclusion
If you want to explore other places to visit in Ujjain, plan accordingly. Ujjain climate is not unpredictable and it is suitable in all the seasons for your stay. Now, in recent days a lot of renovation is happening with the interest of making Ujjain a better pilgrimage city for the devotees and other tourists to have a better experience and pleasant stay.
All the facility during the stay will be available everywhere in the city. You just need to visit the attractions and enjoy your trip at Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga. I hope this blog has given you more clearer picture on how to plan your Ujjain trip. Let me know in the comment about your trip experience.
