Located on the banks of the holy Shipra River in the Malwa Region of Madhya Pradesh, Ujjain is one of those divine lands where you do not just feel solitude but also sink in the divinity that calms your soul. The holy city is one of the popular places of pilgrimage in India as it hosts Maha Kumbh Mela, the largest religious gathering in the world which takes place once every 12 years on the banks of the Shipra river. Also known as the temple town of Madhya Pradesh, Ujjain is home to more than 100 temples and numerous pilgrimage sites of different eras including the Mahakal Mandir, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, and some of the famous Shakti Peethas. Be it a spiritual lover or a history buff or an architecture fanatic, the temples in Ujjain will captivate anybody’s mind with their superiority and cultural essence. Take a trip to this spiritual town with our specially curated list of famous temples as part of the Ujjain Tour Packages.
Mahakaleshwar Temple
Mahakaleshwar Temple is a popular Hindu shrine located in the ancient city of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is one of the most famous places of pilgrimage in Madhya Pradesh, and among the twelve Jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva in India. The temple is well-known for its distinctive Bhasm-Aarti, a unique ritual performed every morning before sunrise in which ashes are used to worship the deity, and it is believed to be one of the most powerful forms of worship in Hinduism. The facade of the temple is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures, while its interiors feature beautifully decorated sanctums and pillared halls. The unique feature of the temple is its underground chamber known as the Garbha Griha where the Jyotirlinga is present. The lingam is placed in a silver casket and submerged in water. The temple also houses several other deities, including Lord Ganesh, Goddess Parvati, and Lord Kartikeya. Mahashivratri is the most significant festival of Mahakal Temple, among the top places to visit in Ujjain.
Gadkalika Temple
Gadkalika Temple is another ancient Hindu shrine located in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, among the top places to visit in India. Situated near Bhartrihari Caves, it is one of the must-include places in Ujjain Darshan, and among the famous places to visit in Madhya Pradesh. Dedicated to Goddess Kali, the temple holds great religious significance, especially among students as it is believed to be the place where Kalidas worshipped Maa Gadkalika and gained knowledge. Besides, the walls of the temples are carved with an amazing curvature of various gods and holy signs. Navratri is the major festival celebrated here with much fervor that draws thousands of devotees as part of Madhya Pradesh tour packages.
Harsiddhi Temple
Dedicated to Goddess Parvati, the Harisiddhi Temple is regarded as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas of Mata Sati. It is believed to be the place where the elbow of the goddess fell, where, later, the famous King Vikramaditya built the temple. Built with red sandstones, the temple architecture is in the Maratha style of art and has four entrances. The main entrance is on the eastern side. The main deity of this temple is the goddess Kali. There are also shrines for Lord Shiva (known as Kapilambar), Devi Mahalakshmi, goddess Saraswati and also Devi Annapurna. Navratri is the main festival celebrated here during which the temple is decorated with flowers and lights that draw thousands of devotees every year as part of the India Tour Packages.
Kal Bhairav Temple
Situated on the banks of the Kshipra River, Kal Bhairav Temple is dedicated to Kal Bhairav, a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva, and is regarded as the guardian deity of the city of Ujjain. The worship of Kal Bhairav is supposed to be associated with the Tantra cult of Hinduism, which is a secret religious sect that thrived upon black magic. Offering liquor to the main deity as ‘Chadhava’ is one of the unique features of the temple. The main festival of the temple is Bhairav Ashtami, which is celebrated every year on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Margashirsha (November or December).
Mangalnath Temple
Another sacred temple in Ujjain is the famous Mangalnath temple. The temple is considered to be the birthplace of the red planet, Mars, also called Mangal. According to Matsya Purana, the temple is located on the spot where Lord Shiva had a violent battle with Andhakasura, and during the battle, three drops of Lord Shiva’s sweat fell from his forehead on the ground, forming a linga which was named Mangal. Mangalnath temple in Ujjain is located on a hill and overlooks the vast stretch of calm water of the holy Kshipra River. The site is also famous for offering a clear view of the planet Mars and is highly preferred for astronomical studies. People who are supposed to have a ‘Mangal dosh’ visit the temple regularly to conduct a Mangal Shanti pooja.
Gomti Kund
Gomti Kund is a sacred water tank located amidst the lush green environs of Sandipani Ashram in Ujjain, among the best Madhya Pradesh tourist places. It is said that Lord Krishna consolidated waters from all the holy rivers at this tank for his guru, Sage Sandipani to perform his rituals. This Kund holds religious prominence among Hindus, and the water of this pond is believed to be sacred. People who come here fill the water in bottles and carry them to their homes. Till today, the kund serves as the perennial source of water supply for the entire ashram. Visited by thousands of devotees every year, it is one of the best Ujjain tourist places.
Chintaman Ganesh Temple
One of the famous temples in Ujjain, Shri Chintaman Ganesh Temple is dedicated to the elephant head god and is located on the banks of the river Kshipra. The word ‘Chintaman’ means ‘relieving stress and is believed that Lord Ganesha takes away all the stress and tension of the devotees who visit the temple and offer prayers to the god. The major attraction of the temple is its idol, which is believed to have been raised on its own from the ground and has thus been never switched or renovated. Devotees rush to the temple throughout the year, and the crowd on Wednesdays and Sundays is overwhelming.
Shri Dwarkadhish Temple
Dwarkadhish Temple is a revered Hindu shrine located in the holy city of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Also called Gopal Mandir, the temple was built in the 19th century by Bayajibai Shinde, the wife of Maratha King Daulatrao Shinde. Dedicated to Lord Krishna, it is the second largest temple in Ujjain after Mahakaleshwar Temple, one of the must-include places to visit as part of the Madhya Pradesh tour. The temple houses a two-foot-tall silver gilded statue of Lord Krishna placed on a marble-inlaid altar with silver-plated doors. Also, the temple houses the idols of Lord Shiva, Parvati, and Garuda. The temple is a marble-towered structure exhibiting a brilliant specimen of Maratha architecture. The major festivals celebrated in this temple are Janmashtami and Harihar Parva.
Chaubis Khamba Temple
Chaubis Khamba Temple is one of the oldest temples and among the most popular places of pilgrimage in Ujjain. Dates back to the 9th or 10th century, the temple is dedicated to Chhoti Mata and Badi Mata. The temple got its name from the 24 pillars that adorn the structure of the temple. Built during the times of King Vikramaditya, the entrance showcases the images of guardian goddesses of the temple – Mahalaya, and Mahamaya with their names inscribed on the footsteps of the temple. The auspicious day of Shukla Paksha Ashtami and Navratri is observed here on a huge scale that attracts a large number of devotees as part of the Ujjain Tour.