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Ujjain

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Shaktipeeth - Ujjain - Introduction

Introduction

Introduction: 
   
Ujjainis situated on the Malwa plateau of Madhya Pradesh, 56 km from Indore and on the eastern banks of Kshipra river.
    
This land of Mahakaal (Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling) is a prime centre for believers from the Shaiv, Vaishnav & Shakta sects.
    
Not only is the Kumbh festival celebrated here at 12 year intervals, but the Mahabharat mentions it as 1 of the 7 lands that give salvation (Mokshdaayi Puri).
    
Hindu astrological calculations believe it to be the centre of the earth
    
Skand Puran has a number of names mentioned for Ujjain like Kanakshring, Kushsthali, Avantika, Padmavati, Mahakalpuri, Ujjayini, Vishala etc.
   
Ptolemy has mentioned about it as OZENI in his geography.
 

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 thatShiva 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 6th century B.C., Ujjain was the capital of Avanti kingdom. Pradyot, a contemporary of Buddha was the ruler.
   
Chandragupta Maurya conquered it in 313 B.C. Ashok was the governor during the Bimbisar rule.
   
According to Harshcharit, Pushyamitra Shung, a military official from Ujjain killed the last Maurya ruler Brihdrath and formed the Shung dynasty.
   
After the Shungs, the Shakas ruled over the entire area who were driven out by Gardhbhilya’s son, Vikramaditya. On this occasion, in 58 B.C. he started a new calendar called the Vikram Samvat.
   
Chandrapgupt II, Vikramaditya made it his second capital during the Gupta period. Of the nine jewels in his court, Kalidas was from Ujjain.
   
In the early middle-ages, this area was under the Parmar Rajputs, the most famous king among them being Raja Bhoj.
   
In the sultanate period, Iltutmish, Alauddin Khilji, Mohammed bin Tughlaq etc attacked the city to demonstrate their religious fanaticism.
   
A contemporary of Akbar was the Malwa ruler, Bajbahadur to whose court the famous singer Baiju Bawra belonged.
   
In 1733 A.D. Mohammad Shah Rangila appointed Sawai Raja Jai Singh as the governor who built many temples besides an observatory.
   
After the Mughals, the Marathas (Scindia family) ruled here from whom the powers were taken over by the British.
 

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 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 (MP) - 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.
 
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