Holy visit to Ujjain (Mahakal Ki Nagari), Madhya Pradesh, India

Ujjain (Mahakal Ki Nagari), Madhya Pradesh, India

How to Reach:

• By Flight: Nearest Airport is Indore. You can reach to Indore via a flight. and from there you can hire a cab or take a bus to Ujjain.
• By Train: You can reach Ujjain via train 

Stay: 

We did not pre-book a hotel because we knew there are so many budget hotels near Mahakaleshwar Temple. We got a very good hotel at a very low price of 600 rs/24hr. The room had 24hr hot water and inverter facility.

Food: 

There are a lot of restaurants nearby and have very good food at an affordable price.

Local sightseeing:

(1) Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling temple (Dakshin Mukhi jyotirlinga): 

In the morning we visited Mahakaleshwar Temple. We took prasad (100rs) and put our mobiles and belongings in a locker and kept our sleepers in Prasad shop for no extra charges. There is a VIP pass (250rs per person) entry also where you can get darshan very fast without waiting in the queue. We followed the general line and got darshan in 2hr.
Note: There are a total of 5 Arti, most important is Basham aarti which happens at 4am in the morning. One has to fill a form and apply for permission to attend this (no charges). Permission form submission timing is 10am to 5pm.

We had lunch at Shivani restaurant.

One auto driver approached us and asked 250rs for showing us 6 points which were outside Ujjain city (Approx 3 hr). We hired the auto and went to below places-

‌(2) Sandipani Ashram:

Maharishi Saandhipani Ashram at Ujjain is a historic place where it is believed that Lord Krishna, Lord Balaram, and Sudama were in Gurukul under the Maharishi. Lord Krishna created Gomti Kund here with all the Sacred Rivers so his guru will not need to go to Sacred Rivers in his old age.

‌(3) Kal Bhairav temple:

Address: Jail Road, Bhairav Garh, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh 456003

It is dedicated to Kal Bhairav, the guardian deity of the Ujjain city. Liquor is one of the offerings made to the temple deity. The devotee hand over the liquor bottles to the priest, who pours the liquor in a saucer. He then offers prayers and takes the saucer near the deity's lips, which have a slit. He tilts the plate a bit, and the liquor starts disappearing. About one-third of the bottle is returned to the devotee as prasad.

For people who want to offer liquor, Better to buy liquor from the city rather than buying from outside vendors.

Personally, I do not like liquor so we just had the darshan.

(4) Mangalnath Temple

Mangalnath Temple is the place where the origin of mangal or mars is considered. Tropic of cancer (Kark Rekha) passes through this place so it's a very important place for astronomical studies. Many people come here for puja of mangal dosh. Peaceful and clean temple with Shipra river and Mangalnath ghat on the backside of the temple.

(5) Siddhavat Temple:

As per name Siddhavat ( Siddha means pure or tested ) & Vat means tree.
The temple is built around an ancient banyan tree that is said to the tree in the popular folklore of Vikram and Betaal.
People perform rituals for their departed near and dear.

(6) Raja Bhartruhari Cave:

There are two caves. The first is situated in the deep ground and second is nearby the ground level. Inside the cave, CCTV is there. You should go and feel peace. These caves were supposed to be where King Bhartruhari, a cousin of the Great Vikramaditya lived as a saint after giving up the king- style life. He meditated years and wrote in Sanskrit three great books.

(7) Shaktipeeth Shri Gadhkalika Mata Temple:

Address: Piplinaka Gadkalika road Ujjain

Shri Gadkalika Mata Mandir near Ujjain on the banks of river Kshipra is one of 51 Sakthipeet. Shree Garhkalika temple was worshiped by Great Writer Kalidas. King Vikramaditya was blessed by Kali.
I had a nice experience. Peaceful and relaxing mandir. No issue of big lines as I visited. No hurry to move out. You can stand and do darshan of Mata Ji peacefully. Photography is prohibited inside I have got some clicks to show you around

We took rest for 2 hours.

Places Near Mahakaleshwar Temple:

(1) Ram ghat near Shipra river:

We heard that Shipra river evening arti happen at 7pm at Ram ghat near Shipra river. When we reached there, We got to know that timing is not fixed. It happens at sunset which was 6:30 on the day we visited so we could not attend it. We just relaxed over there for some time. Clam and good place.  Boating is available there at a very cheap price

‌(2) Harsiddhi Mata temple:

Harsiddhi Mandir in Ujjain is one of 51 Sakthipeet. As per Shivapuran Shakti Sati Devi's Elbow fell here. It is believed that this Devi was King Vikramaditya's Kuldevi. The temple is nicely built and very near to Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Mandir. The two-tower lamps are lit regularly here every evening.

‌(3) Vikramaditya Tila:

Vikramaditya Statue is a 30 feet statue of Indian King Vikramaditya behind Mahakal Temple. There are Idols of his 9 poets called Navratna are also there with description.

Vikramaditya Statue

Other places to see:

(1) Bade Ganesh Ji Temple
(2) Jantar Mantar

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