Ujjain Yatra
Sri Avantika Dhama
Ujjain is an ancient holy city on the bank of the Kshipra River, today part of the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India. Ujjain is the place where Lord Krishna, along with Balarama and Sudama, received education from Maharishi Sandipani. Ujjain is one of the four sites in India that host the Kumbh Mela (also called the Simhastha Mela), once in 12 years. On the occasion of Simhastha Kumbh Mela the divinity and spiritual aroma of Ujjain meets its highest peak when millions of pilgrims take dips and worship sacred River Kshipra. The Garuda Purana enumerates seven sacred cities (Sapta Moksha Puri) as giver of Moksha (Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya, Kasi, Kanchi, Avantika, Dwarka); Ujjain or Avantika is one among these seven sacred cities. Lord Ramacandra along with Sita-devi and Laxmana also came to Ujjain. Lord Ramacandra performed the ‘Pind-dan’ ceremony for His father Dasaratha at the Ram Ghat on the bank of Kshipra river, which is the famous holy site of Kumbh Mela. This simple and peaceful city is famous for its principal deity Sri Mahakaleshwar who is one of the 12 self-manifested Jyotilingams of Lord Siva. Lord Krishna's principal queen Mitravinda was from Ujjain. Ujjain is one of the 52 Shakti peethas in India. Lord Siva killed demon Tripurasur here in Ujjain. International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has a gorgeous Temple in Ujjain with exquisitely beautiful deities of Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan, a flourishing Tulsi garden and attractive lush flower gardens, Goshala, gift shops, restaurant and a Guest House.
There is an interesting pastime behind the sanctity of the city. Its origin is ascribed to the legend of Sagar Manthan (churning of the primordial ocean to discover the pot of nectar). After the nectar was discovered, there was a quarrel between the demigods and the demons to have the nectar first and thus attain immortality. Demigods and demons fought in the sky for the pot of amrita. As Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana) Canto 8, chapter 9 states, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Sri Krishna incarnated as Mohini-Murti and flew away with the Kumbh of elixir spilling drops of amrita at four places: Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. So, a drop of amrit nectar spilled and fell on Ujjain, thus making the city sacred.
Since Ujjain is one of the oldest cities in India, it has been known by many names: Avantika, Padmavati, Kushasthali, Bhagavati, Haranyavati, Kandakatringa, Kumudvati, Pratikalpa, Ujjayani, Udeni Vishala. In the Mahabharata, Ujjayini was the capital of the Avanti Kingdom. To the western astronomers Ujjain was known as "Arin", which was used as the centre of ancient and medieval world maps. One of the most famous kings of Ujjain of his time was king Vikramaditya. He was famous for his kshatriya spirit and also great intelligence. His encounter with the Vetal demon and his special simhasan are well known. The throne of Maharaja Vikramaditya, known as the "seat of judgment (salabanjika throne)" is said to be still there in Ujjain.
Ujjain is 55km (1 hour drive) from Indore. Indore is well connected by Air, Rail, Bus transport.
Important places to visit Ujjain:
1. Sandipani Muni Ashram
2. Narayana Gaon
3. Sri Rama Janardhana Temple
4. Ram Ghat (or Kshipra River Ghat)
5. Sri Nrsimha Ghat Temple
6. Sri Mahakaleshwar Temple
7. ISKCON Ujjain (Hare Krishna) - Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan Temple
8. Harsiddhi Temple
9. Sri Siddhwat Ghat
10. Sri Bharthari Caves
11. Sri Gadkalika Temple
12. Sri Mangalnath Temple
13. Sri Gopal Mandir
14. Sri Ram Mandir
15. King Vikramaditya Throne
16. ISKCON Indore (Hare Krishna) - Sri Sri Radha Govinda Temple
