Ujjain Sightseeing

Mahakaleshwara Temple

This temple of Lord Shiva with its lingam is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. It is also known as the shrine of Mahakaleshwara. The lingam here is believed to be syambhu (born of itself) and derives its power from within itself, as against other lingams, which are ritually established and invested with powers through mantra-puja. The awe inspiring lingam and the majestic temple seem to dominate the lives of the people of Ujjain. The temple has an idol of Omkareshwara Shiva consecrated in the sanctum above the Mahakal Shrine.

Bade Ganeshji Ka Mandir
There is a beautiful sculpted image of Lord Ganesh in this temple, close to the tank near Mahakaleshwar temple. The temple also provides the oppurtunity to take a course in sanskrit and astrology and one gets the feeling of learning with Lord Ganesha’s blessings.

Chintamani Ganesh
A temple of considerable antiquity and a popular place of pilgrimage, the idol here, as in the instance of the lingam in Mahakaleshwar, is believed to be self formed. Parts of the temple date back to the Parmara period. This temple is very popular as the diety here is believed to be invested with powers to remove the anxiety of the devotees.

Bhartrihari Caves
According to legend, the caves on the banks of the river Shipra near Gadkalika Temple are where the great scholar-poet Bhartrihari lived and meditated.

Navgrah Mandir
Situated on the Triveni Ghat of the Shipra, the temple is located away from the old site of Ujjaini town. It is dedicated to the nine planets, attracts large crowds on new moon days falling on Saturdays.

Harsiddhi Temple
Another important shrine with the image of Goddess Annapurna, the temple was reconstructed during the Maratha period and special features of Maratha architecture can still be seen on the walls and pillars of the temple.

Kal Bhairava
Chief among the eight Bhairavs of the Saivaite tradition, the worship of Kal Bhairav is believed to be worshipped in the tantric sects of Aghora and Kapalika , which flourished in Ujjain. The speciality of this temple is its intricate painting in the Malwa style.

Observatory

The stars and the skies seemed fascinating in the 17th century too. That would perhaps explain the number of observatories that we have in India. Ujjain was an important centre of astronomy in the olden times and the observatory is active even today with the Department of Education conducting many studies here. According to Indian astronomers, the Tropic of Cancer passes through Ujjain, hence its importance to astronomers and geographers of the mediaval times. This 17th century observatory has a planetarium and a telescope.

Vikram Kirti Mandir
His mandir has the Scindia Oriental Research Institute, an archaeological museum and an art gallery. Actually a cultural centre, it is dedicated to the memory of King Vikramaditya - the much honoured King of Ujjain.

Gopal Mandir
A sanctum inlaid with marble and silver plated doors constitutes the main attraction of this temple. The door in the inner sanctum has quite a history attached to it. It was taken away to Ghazni from the Somnath temple and from there to Lahore by Mahmud Shah Abdali.