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History of ujjain, Mahakaleshwa Temple in Ujjain, Ujjain Hotels, Ujjain Tourism, Ujjain City Madhya Pradesh

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Sapta Mokshadaayi Puris - Ujjain - Introduction

 

Introduction

Image: 
Introduction: 
    
Ujjain is situated on the Malva platoon of Madhya Pradesh, around 56 Km to the North from Indor, on the eastern side of Kshipra River.
    
This land of Mahakala is the center of devotion for not only the Shaivas but also the Vaishnavas and Shakta sects.
    
Not only the kumbh festival is celebrated here at 12 year intervals, but the Mahabharat mention it as 1 of the 7 lands that give salvation (mokshadaayi Puri)
    
According to the Hindu astrological calculations, this place is hailed to be center of the Earth.
    
There are many records of different names of Ujjain in the Skanda Purana like, Kanakshrunga, Kushasthali, Avantika, Padmawati, Mahakalpuri, Ujjayini, Vishala etc.
   
Ptolemy has referred to Ujjainas OZENI in his Geography.
 
  

 

 

 

 

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Mythological Beliefs

Mythological Beliefs: 
   
The origin of the holy Kshipra river of Ujjain is believed to be from the heart of Lord Varah (the third incarnation of Lord Vishnu).
    
  Skand Puran states that the body of a life form even after its death in Ujjain will neither decay nor emit any foul odours.
    
The Puranas state that Shiva won over a great demon Tripur with great enthusiasm and therefore this place came to be known as Ujjain.
   
Another name found in the Puranas is Kanak-Shring where the stay would make Brahma, Vishnu & Shiv happy.
    
According to Skand Puran, when Shiva’s fury dried up Bhogwati’s pot of nectar, the snakes meditated in this region and succeeded in getting the nectar back. It is believed that the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling was also instated by these snakes.
    
According to the Mahabharat, those visiting Ujjain and seeking the darshan of Mahakaal do not have to take rebirth.
 

Historical Facts

History: 
   
In the sixth century B.C, Ujjain was the capital of Avanti Mahajanpada. Prdyot was the Budha’s contemporary ruler of Ujjain.
   
Changragupta Maurya established his rule over here in 313 B.C. In the era of Bindusar, Ashoka was the ruler of Ujjain.
   
According to the Harshacharita, Pushyamitra Shunga, a military officer from the same place had established the Shunga dynasty after killing the last Maurya- Bruhadratha.
   
After the Shunga, the Shaka dynasty ruled this area, and the credit to defeat them goes to Vikramaditya, the son of Gardhbhilya, who also started a new time line- the Vikrama-Samwat.
   
In the Gupta era, Vikramaditya, the second Chandragupta made this city his second capital. Out of nine ‘jewels” in his court, Kalidasa was from the same place.
   
Before the middle ages this place was under the rule of Parmara princes, the most famous amongst them being King Bhoja.
   
In the era of muslim invasion Iltumish, Allauddin Khalji, Muhammad Bin Tughalaka etc attached this place and displayed sever religious devotion.
   
The contemporary Malwa ruler to Akbar was Bajbahadur, and the famous singer Baiju Bawra used to sing in his court only.
   
In 1733 A.D., Muhammad Shah Rangila appointed Sawai Raja Jaysinha as the governer of this place who built many temples over here as well as a planetarium over here.
   
After the Mughals, the Marathas ( Sindhia family) ruled over this place, from whom the British finally won it.
 

Main Places To See

Main Places To See: 
   
Mahakaleshwar temple:
 
Here the south-facing Jyotirling of Lord Shiva is installed and is important among the tantrik community.
    
Sandipani Muni Ashram:
 
Sandipani Muni was the guru of Krishna & Balram and they both are believed to have studied here. A number of symbols said to be associated with Krishna and Sandipani can be seen here.
    
Gopal Mandir:
 
It was constructed by the queen of Daulatrao Scindia in the 19th century. The door of the temple is made of silver and is believed to be the same one that Ghajnavi looted from Somnath.
    
Harsiddhi Temple:
 
It is a shaktipeeth installed with idols of Annapurna, Mahakali & Saraswati. The temple has two huge lamps that are lit during navratri.
    
Bade Ganeshji temple:
 
This temple has idols of Ganesh with his wives Riddhi and Siddhi.
   
Mangalnath:
 
According to the Matsya Puran, the planet Mars was born here & the temple is dedicated to it.
   
Navgraha temple:
 
Situated on the banks of Kshipra at the Triveni ghat, this temple has a spiritual as well as astrological significance.
   
Observatory:
 
Indian astrology believes Ujjain to be the centre of the earth with the tropic of Cancer too passing through it. Bearing this in mind, Sawai Jaisingh built this observatory.
   
Vikram Kirti temple:
 
A museum started by the Scindia family, it also houses the Scindia Oriental Research Institute. The art gallery here has a number of Mughal and Rajput style paintings.
   
Bhartrihari caves:
 
Bhartrihari, the brother of Vikramaditya meditated here and wrote books like Shringar Shatak, Vairagya Shatak and Neeti Shatak.
   
Gadh Kalika:
  This is associated with Kalidas. The temple was built by Harshwardhan and was extended by the Parmar kings.
 

Main Festivals

Main Festivals: 
   
Mahakumbh:
 
It is Ujjain’s biggest festival and is held every 12 years. The next Kumbh is scheduled for 2016.
    
Mahashivratri:
 
This is celebrated twice in a year during the months of Magh & Shravan, however the one in Magh has a greater significance. The main celebrations are held in the Mahakaal temple.
    
Navratri:
 
The biggest celebrations take place in Harsiddhi temple. A huge fair is held on this occasion.
   
Makar Sankranti:
 
A holy bathing festival is held in the holy Kshipra River during the month of Magh.
   
Janmashtami:
 
This is celebrated in the Sandipani Ashram area in the Bhadra month. On this day, the decoration and the grandeur of Gopal Mandir is worth seeing.
 

Where To Stay

Where To Stay : 
   
Dharamshalas:
 
 Dewas Rajya ki dharmshala  Ujjain
 Maharaja Gwalior ki dharmshala  Ujjain
 Fatehpur dharmshala  Ujjain
 Khemraj dharmshala  Ujjain
    
Hotels:
 
 Category  General
 Name  Hotel Ajay
 Address  12 Dewas Gate, Mahakaleshwar Road, Ujjain (MP) - 456 001
 Telephone  +91 - 734 - 2550856 
   
 
 Category  General
 Name  Yatrik Nivas
 Address  Near Nanakheda bus stop, Indore Road, Ujjain (MP) - 456 010
 Telephone  +91 - 734 - 2511398 
 +91 - 98264 92873 
   
 
 Category  General
 Name  Hotel Ramkrishna
 Address  Opp. Railway Station, Ujjain (MP)
 Telephone  +91 - 734 - 2553017
    
 
 Category  Medium
 Name  Hotel Anand Palace
 Address  3/8, Nanakheda bus stand, Nanakheda, Ujjain (MP) - 456 001
 Telephone  +91 - 734 - 2533211
   
 
 Category  Medium
 Name  Tourist Complex
 Address  Near bus stand, Ujjain (MP)
 Telephone  +91 - 7280 - 271 455
 Web Site  www.mptourism.com
   
 
 Category  Medium
 Name  Hotel Grand Tower
 Address  1, Vikram Marg, Clock Tower, Ujjain (M.P.) - 456 001
 Telephone  +91 - 734 - 2553699
   
 
 Category  High
 Name  Hotel Kshipra
 Address  University Road, Near Madhav Club, Ujjain (MP) – 456 001
 Telephone  +91 - 734 - 2551495 - 96 / 3269000 /2552402
 Fax  +91 - 734 - 2552402
 E-mail  shipra@mptourism.com 
 Web Site  www.mptourism.com
   
 
 Category  High
 Name  Shanti Palace Hotel
 Address  81-1/1, Opp. Aadinath Colony, Harphatak, Ring Road, Ujjain  (MP) – 456 010
 Telephone  +91 - 734 - 2533302
   
 
 Category  High
 Name  Welcome Heritage Fort Amla
 Address  V.P.O. Amla, Tehsil: Barnagar, Dist. Ujjain
 Telephone  +91 - 731 - 5070451
 Web Site  www.welcomheritage.com
 

Location/Climate

Location/Climate: 
 
Location
 
 Geographical  Location  Height  Above  Sea Level  Average Annual Rainfall
 Latitude  Longitude  1611 feet  101 cm
 23.5˚ N  75.79˚ E
   
 
Temperature

Temperature is given in degrees Celsius.
 
 Month  Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr  May  Jun  Jul  Aug  Sep  Oct   Nov    Dec
 Maximum   27  29  34  39  40  36  30  29  31  33  30  27
 Minimum  10  12  17  21  25  24  23  22  21  18  14  11
   
 
Important Informations
The temperature in summer soars very high and there is a danger of heat stroke. The temperature in May reaches up to 44˚ C and in January it falls to as low as 40˚ C.
For normal touring, the period from November to February-March is ideal. However the Kumbh is held in April/May.
 

General Information

General Information: 
 
 STD Code
 0734
 Puja Timings
 4 a.m. to 11.00 p.m.
 Police Assistance
  Tel: +91 - 734 - 2550782 
 Ambulance  Tel: +91 - 734 - 2551077 
 Hospital  
  Hospital Civil Hospital
 Tel: +91 - 734 - 2551078  / 2516571 - 72 - 73
 Arpan Eye Hospital,
 Tower Chowk, Freeganj
 Tel: +91 - 734 - 2516468 
 Currency  Exchange
 State Bank of India
 Budhwari, Ujjain Main Branch, (MP) - 456 001
 Tel: +91 - 734 - 2559153 
 UCO Bank
 BOFG, Ujjain, (MP) - 456 006
 Tel: + 91 - 734 - 2554256 
 ATM Centre  Axis Bank
 Ground floor, Hotel Ashray, 77, Dewas Road,
 Ujjain (MP) - 456 010
 SBI Bank
 Nanakheda bus stand, Ujjain - 456 010
 Post Office
 Ujjain Kothi Tel: +91-734 - 2512430 
 Ujjain Vikram University Tel: +91 - 734 - 2511433 
 Ujjain Rishinagar Tel: +91 - 734 - 2510461
 Tourist Office
  Ujjain Tourist Office
 Railway Station, Ujjain
 Tel: +91 - 734 - 2561544
 Restaurants
 Chanakya Restaurant, Meghdoot Restaurant,   Sudama   Restaurant, Marwadi Wasa etc. All big   hotels have a   restaurant  and some of them have a   bar as well.
   
 
Food
Tourists in Ujjain must taste the popular local dishes ‘Bhutta ri kis’ and ‘Chakki ri Shaak’. Besides, the traditional Malwa dishes, Baati and Bafla can also be enjoyed.
 

Travel Planner

Address (Click on "A" to locate): 
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PDF File: 
application/pdf iconmangal_ujjain.pdf
Airports in the vicinity: 
- Ahemdabad
- Indore
- Bhopal
Railway: 
 Main Railway Stations  Station Code
 Ujjain  UJN
 Indore  INDB
 Bhopal  BPL
 Chittaurgarh  COR
 Ahmedabad  ADI
Road Distance from Destinations: 
 Ujjain  Chittaugarh  258 km
 Indore  56 km
 Bhopal  185 km
 Omkareshwar

 

  Indore  77 km
 Chittaugarh  388 km
 Bhopal   260 Km

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