Ujjain is one of the sacred and oldest cities that exist in India. It is because of the rich culture that everyone knows about Ujjain in India and other parts of world. Ujjain is treated as City of God. It is believed that lord still resides and showers his blessing on this place. Whoever visits this city gets rid from all his sins. Ujjain is also known as Avanti, Avantikapuri, etc.
Ujjain is a religious place with religious monuments all around the city. The rich culture and heritage of Ujjain attract a large number of tourists every year. This city has many religious pilgrimages. Ujjain commonly known as the city of Mahadev, ‘Mahakaleshwar Temple’ is a famous shrine that comprises one of the twelve major Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.
Mahakaleshwar Temple
One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, Mahakaleshwar Temple, popularly referred to as Mahakal Temple, is one of the most sacred Shiva temples in India. Located at the heart of Ujjain, it is also the best place to start exploring this ageless town.
The glorious temple of Mahakaleshwar has been mentioned in several ‘Puranas’ (scriptures) of the Hindu mythology. Mahakaleshwar is recognized as ‘Dakshinamurti’, since the image of the lord faces the southern direction.Mahashivratri is the major festival that is observed in the temple with full gusto and fervor. The market around the temple is also Ujjain’s commercial nerve centre
Harsiddhi Mata Temple
A major seat of the Shakti sect occupies a special place in the galaxy of temples in Ujjain. Seated between the idols of Mahalaxmi and Mahasarawati, Goddess Annapurna, the main deity worshipped in the temple, is painted with a brilliant vermillion.
Kal Bhairav Temple
Crossing the bridge over the kshipra, near the Bhartrihari Cave, one reaches, KalBhairav Temple, barely a kilometre away.It is believed to have been built by King Bhadrasen.Two main sects of Shiva worshipers – Kapalika and Aghora – worship the KalBhairava.
Chintaman Ganesh mandir
A popular tourist attraction and one of the renowned Ganesha temples in the country, the Chintaman Ganesh mandir is located across the Kshipra river. It is supposed to be a swayambhu –born itself.
Bade Ganesh Temple
Located close to the Mahakaleshwar temple, the Bade GaneshjiKaMandirGanesha’s.It has beautiful and huge Ganesha Idol and hence derived the name. It is also a renowned center for teaching astrology and the ancient language of Sanskrit.
Gopal Mandir
Gopal Temple, one of the largest temples in Ujjain is located at the heart of the town’s main market, the temple constructed in the mid-19 century by BayajbaiScindia, wife of King Daulat Rao Scindia , is a striking example of Maratha temple architecture.
Gadkalika
Located 2 kms north of Mahakaleshwar is Gadkalika Temple. It is said that the deity enshrined in the temple, was once worshipped by Kalidas. The legend goes that Kalidas, whose verses were once quite ordinary, gained his literary genius, through the blessings of Gadkalika.
Pir Matsyendranath
The Shrine of PirMatsyendranath is located on top of a hill, on the banks of the river Kshipra, close to the Gadkalika Temple and the Bhartrihari Caves. Matsyendranath also known as PirMacchinder is said to be the founder of the Nath sect of Shaivism.
Ram Janardan Temple
A short walk west of the KalBhairav Temple leads to one of Ujjain’s architectural gems. The temples dedicated to the Ram and Vishnu Janardan were built in the 17 century by Aurangzeb’s close confidante Sawai Jai Singh, who as the governor of Ujjain also built the VedShala.
Mangalnath Temple
Further down the river on the opposite bank from Siddhavat Mangalnath Temple is mentioned in the Matsya Purana as the birthplace of Mars(Mangal).