Introduction 
Ujjain is among the great ancient cities of
India. Situated on the right bank of the river Shipra, it is a very holy city
for the Hindus, a site for the triennial Kumbh Mela, when countless devout
Hindus get together to offer prayers during the auspicious time. It is deemed
equal in importance to the cities of Varanasi, Gaya and Kanchi. Saivis
History
Part of an ancient trade route, Ujjain was an important city under King Askoka’s father but was known as Avantika at that time. Later, Chandragupta II ruled from here instead of his actual capital Pataliputra. It was at his court that the famous poet Kalidasa, one of the Hinduism’s most revered poets, wrote the Meghdoot with its famous lyrical description of the city and its people.
“The town fallen from heaven to bring heaven on earth” wrote Kalidasa about Ujjain. He added, “if heaven is a magnification of Ujjain, then it must be a very interesting place indeed. This is the home of Shiva as Mahakal, he who allocates the existential time of all cosmic manifestation”. According to an ancient Hindu calendar, the first meridian of the planet earth passes through Ujjain, making Ujjain time the universal time coordinate. The river Shipra that passes through Ujjain is held as sacred as the Ganges. Ujjain is also one of the sites of the Kumbh Mela, the greatest religious congregation of the Hindus.
Festival
Maha Shivratri :-
Almost all the major Hindu festivals are celebrated here. Having one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, Maha Shivratri is a big event here. Thousand of pilgrims flock to the fair grounds near the Mahakal temple to worship Lord Shiva.
Simhastha Kumbh Mela :-
The Simhastha Kumbh Mela is a mammoth fair held once in twelve years. The magnificence of the bathing ritual is seen at its best during this fair at Ujjain.
Best Season
The best time to visit Ujjain in between of the month October
to December.
Travel Links For
Ujjain
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