Ujjain
About the city
Ujjain (55 km)
Ujjain, one of the oldest and holiest of the Indian cities lies on the banks of river shipra. This ancient centre of learning is sanctified with the memories of Sandipani, kalidasa, Asoka and vikramaditya. It is also the venue of mannoth Kumbh Mela, held once in twelve years.This is the town of Kalidasa and it features prime in his most-loved composition Meghdoot. and this is also Lord Shiva's ground, where, as the presiding deity, he reigns supreme in one of the 12 jyotirlingas. Example of the reverence is found in the Mahakaleshwar Temple, whose shikhara soars high and the silver Jaladhari gleams on the shivalinga. Ujjain is historical, no doubt, and it holds a prominent spot in the Hindu mythology of the churning of the ocean for the holy nectar. Where else would you find an ancient banyan tree, which continues to thrive in spite of the several assaults done on it. Take a stroll by the sacred River Shipra, which flows by quietly and is transformed into the hub of activity during the Kumbh and Ardha Kumbh Melas. There might not be much to do here except explore some of its well-kept treasures, but Ujjain remains and interesting place to visit
Ujjain is one of the seven holiest cities in India and venue of the Kumbh Mela every 12 years. The city was the capital of Malwa under first Hindus and then Muslims until Mandu took its place. Malwa was conquered by Akbar in 1562 and held by the Mughals until 1732 when the Marathas took over.
Ujjain was the capital of the Scindia rajas until they moved to Gwalior in 1810. The long periodof Muslim rule took its toll on the old temples, and the ones to be seen today date from the 18th and 19th centuries.
The most important temple is the Mahakaleswar, dedicated to Shiva and one of the 12 jyotirlingas. Like other religious centers Ujjain is built on a river, the Shipra and most worship takes place on the ghats along it, notabley Ram Ghat. Ujjain was an ancient seat of learning and, as Indian astronomers developed their craft here, it was regarded as theprime meridian, like Greenwhich today. Later, Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur was governor here for the Mughals, and the erected one of his five observatories. This observatory, while smaller than those in Jaipur and Delhi, follows the same principles.
Ujjain is a pleasant enough place but, ourside festival times, of limited interest ot the Western traveller.