Ujjain, an ancient city in the heart of Madhya Pradesh, is a tapestry woven with threads of spirituality, culture, and history. Its rich heritage, dating back to the Vedic era, has made it a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus worldwide. Beyond its religious significance, Ujjain offers a captivating blend of architectural marvels, bustling bazaars, and serene landscapes, making it an irresistible destination for travellers seeking an unforgettable experience. Join us as we explore the 10 best places to visit in Ujjain, each offering a unique glimpse into the city's rich heritage and spiritual allure.
Madhav Nagar Tower is a major landmark in Ujjain. This elegant clock tower was built in the early 20th century by Madho Rao Scindia. As the city became increasingly crowded, Madho Rao offered the land around the tower to new settlers. Today, a post office operates from the first two floors of the tower. Aside from this landmark, Ujjain boasts a plethora of temples that will primarily shape your itinerary for the city.
One of the 12 Jyotirlingas, the Mahakal Temple is among the most revered Shiva temples in India. Situated in the heart of Ujjain, it serves as an ideal starting point for exploring this ancient city. The bustling market surrounding the temple also forms Ujjain’s commercial center, where glass-fronted ATMs share walls with kiosks selling puja essentials, and denim-clad youths mingle with naga sadhus.
The exact origins of the Mahakaleshwar Temple remain unknown. According to ancient Hindu texts, it is said that the temple’s foundation was laid by Lord Brahma himself. The Puranas reference an appointment of Prince Kumarasena as the administrative head of Mahakala Temple by a ruler of Ujjain, though historians suggest that the temple likely had no shikhara (spire) until the Gupta period. This might explain why the great Sanskrit poet, Kalidasa, described it as a niketan (house) in his Raghuvamsha. So moved was Kalidasa by this magnificent temple that he devoted passages in the early chapters of Meghadoota to the shrine’s beauty.
Following the decline of the Gupta dynasty, successive rulers patronized the Mahakaleshwar Temple, as it was believed that no one could rule Ujjain without first honoring Mahakaleshwar. This temple has been celebrated in various works of literature from ancient and early medieval times, including Harshacharita and Kadambari by the poet Banabhatta, which also sing praises of its grandeur.
Located adjacent to the Mahakal Temple complex, along the road leading to Harsiddhi Temple, is the Bada Ganapati Temple. This temple is home to a massive 4-meter-tall idol of Ganesha. In one of its chambers, visitors can also admire a stunning four-faced brass idol of Vishnu.
The Shipra River serves as the spiritual lifeline of Ujjain. According to legend, during the samudra manthan (churning of the ocean) and the subsequent conflict between gods and demons, a drop of divine nectar fell near Ujjain, giving rise to the Shipra. It is believed that a dip in its waters cleanses the soul and prepares one for moksha (liberation). For centuries, people have flocked to the banks of this sacred river not only for holy baths but also to perform life-cycle rituals.
Ghats have been constructed along the river for this purpose, with the most important being Ram Ghat. Flanking the eastern bank of the Shipra, Ram Ghat stretches for almost a kilometer from the Pashupati Temple in the south to the road bridge across the river in the north. The wide promenade is lined with temples, and the air resonates with the sound of temple bells.
The best times to explore the ghat are early morning and late evening. The first rays of the morning sun illuminate the numerous temple spires along the banks, heralding a new day of ardent worship. Devotees wade into the waist-deep water to perform surya tapas, welcoming the new day.
Visitors can stroll the entire length of the ghat from south to north and also cross over to the ghats on the western bank, which tend to be less crowded. Arguably, the most spectacular scene at Ram Ghat is the sandhya aarti, a daily ritual in which priests gather on both banks at sundown to worship the sacred river.
As the priests chant Sanskrit shlokas, accompanied by the clash of cymbals and drums, the river is offered flowers, incense, sandalwood, and vermillion. First, the camphor lamp is raised high, followed by the many-flamed aarti lamps, arched back toward the water. The dark river reflects the golden flames as the Shipra accepts the worship. As the evening progresses, silence envelops those witnessing the aarti ceremony. Hands fold in prayer, eyes shut, and lips quiver as the drummers beat with increasing intensity, creating a profound atmosphere of devotion.
It is said that the deity enshrined in the Gadkalika Temple was once worshipped by Kalidasa, the revered Sanskrit poet. According to legend, Kalidasa, whose verses were once considered quite ordinary, gained his literary genius through the blessings of Gadkalika. This goddess, known as Kali of the fortress, is believed to be one of the earliest deities worshipped in Ujjain.
Although the fort itself no longer exists, archaeological evidence indicates a flourishing settlement in the vicinity around the 6th century BCE. Like many of Ujjain's other shrines, the Gadkalika Temple has undergone numerous renovations over the centuries. The first recorded restoration was conducted by Harshavardhana of Thaneshwar in the 7th century CE. Following the destruction wrought by the ruthless invasion of Iltutmish, the temple was rebuilt by the Paramaras in the 12th century CE.
In the mid-19th century, the temple was reconstructed once again by the Scindias of Gwalior. True to the Maratha architectural style, two deepastambhas (lamp towers) flank the entrance on the inside. The Gadkalika Temple is located just 2 km away from Mahakaleshwar, making it an accessible and significant site for visitors exploring Ujjain's rich cultural heritage.
Crossing the bridge over the Shipra River, near the Bhartrihari Caves, one reaches the Kal Bhairav Temple, located barely a kilometre away. The worship of the ashta bhairavs, or eight fierce attendants of Lord Shiva, is an integral part of the long and unbroken Shaivite tradition in Ujjain. Among these, Kal Bhairav holds particular significance, making this temple especially important to the town.
The worship of Kal Bhairav is particularly vital to the Kapalika and Aghora sects, for whom Ujjain serves as a key centre of practice. The temple is believed to have been constructed by King Bhadrasen of Mahismati (modern Maheshwar). Its antiquity is attested by its mention in the Avanti Khanda of the Skanda Purana. Like most of the other temples in Ujjain, the Kal Bhairav Temple was rebuilt during the Maratha period. It was originally surrounded by a massive wall, which was pierced to the east by a gateway built in the style of a Mughal naubatkhana.
Inside the enclosure, the temple was originally flanked by two massive deepastambhas (lamp towers), of which only one survives today. As is customary in Kal Bhairav temples across the country, offerings to the deity include not only flowers, coconuts, and incense, but also liquor. Shops outside the temple selling puja paraphernalia also offer both Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and desi (country) liquor to be presented to the deity.
In the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), bottles of liquor are handed over to the priest, who pours half of their contents down a hole that marks the mouth of the idol. The remaining liquor is returned to the devotee as prasad, creating a unique and culturally rich experience for worshippers.
Away from the city lies a scenic palace. The serene surroundings of this sprawling complex on the Shipra River provide travellers with a glimpse of what Ujjain might have looked like at the height of its glory.
The palace is situated on a small island in the Shipra, and the man-made tanks and waterways within the complex create the illusion that the entire structure is floating on the sacred waters. An inscription found in the palace complex indicates that it was constructed in 1458 CE during the reign of Mahmud Khilji of Malwa. One of Mahmud's later successors, Nasiruddin Khilji, expanded the palace by constructing tanks and waterways to mitigate the effects of the summer sun.
The main durbar hall of the palace is crowned with a majestic dome, built in the Persian architectural style. Two inscriptions in Persian were discovered in one of the long corridors of the palace, recording that the Mughal Emperors Akbar and Jehangir visited Kaliadeh Palace.
The palace complex suffered significant damage during the war between the Marathas and the Pindaris in 1818. After the Pindaris were defeated, the palace remained uninhabited and neglected until Madho Rao Scindia restored it to its former glory in 1920.
This observatory was built in the 17th century by Sawai Jai Singh (1688–1743) during his tenure as the governor of Malwa. It is located on the Ujjain-Fatehabad road, about 2 km southwest of the Mahakal Temple. According to modern calculations, the Tropic of Cancer is just to the north of Ved Shala. Locally, it is referred to as Jantar Mantar, a term derived from the Hindi words yantra (instrument) and mantra (formula).
The purpose of the observatory was to compile astronomical tables and predict the movements of the sun, moon, and planets. Ujjain's Ved Shala consists of four main instruments. The Samrata Yantra, which stands 6.7 m tall, is used for calculating time. Equinoctial days are determined with the Nadi Walaya Yantra, while the Digansha Yantra is used to pinpoint the positions of stars and planets. The Bhitti Yantra measures the decline of the sun and the distance to the zenith. Additionally, the observatory features a planetarium and a telescope.
In addition to Ujjain, Jai Singh constructed similar observatories in Delhi, Mathura, Varanasi, and Jaipur. The observational techniques and instruments used at Ved Shala are said to have been far superior to those employed by contemporary European astronomers. In fact, Jai Singh dedicated eight years to observing planetary activities and refining the instruments.
The exact date of the observatory's construction remains unclear. Virendra Nath Sharma, in Sawai Jai Singh and His Astronomy, suggests that there are reasons to believe the observatory was constructed before 1730, as it is mentioned in texts from that period. Following its completion, the observatory operated for about a decade, ceasing operations after Jai Singh's death in 1743. It was later renovated and revived by Madho Rao Scindia two decades afterward.
Located at Triveni Ghat, the Navagraha Temple (temple of the nine planets) attracts crowds of devotees on full moon nights. It is situated 3 km from the Nanakheda bus terminus on the Ujjain-Indore highway. The temple features a low rectangular structure divided into 11 chambers, each housing images of the solar system. Every shrine is topped with a dome, each painted a different colour. The largest dome, painted red, crowns the shrine dedicated to Surya, the sun god.
Traditionally, banyan trees have been held in great reverence across India, and the holy banyan tree of Ujjain, Siddhavat, is worshipped with the same devotion as a deity. The Skanda Purana mentions that Parvati, the consort of Shiva, used to perform her penance under this very tree. It is also from Siddhavat that the Saptamatrikas (seven mother goddesses, including Chamunda or Kali) are said to reveal themselves to the devout. This tree grows on the banks
of the Shipra, where a ghat has been constructed for devotees to take holy dips. An interesting story boosts the faith of the people in Siddhavat: once, at the behest of a Mughal ruler, the tree was cut down, and the site was covered with thick iron sheets. However, even tender saplings managed to pierce through the iron and grow into a new tree.
Ujjain, a prominent pilgrimage city in India, is well-connected by air, road, and rail. The nearest airport is Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport in Indore, located about 55 km away, with regular flights from major cities. Ujjain also has its own railway station, which services trains from Mumbai, Delhi, and other cities. On the road, national highways connect Ujjain to nearby cities, with bus services and taxis available for convenient access.