Vikramaditya's Ujjain

Me @ Mahakal

It is said that no poet could describe a city as opulent and lavish as Kalidasa, the greatest Sanskrit Dramatist described Ujjain in his magnum opus, Meghaduta. Kalidasa stood on the banks of River Kshipra, at the Zenith of India's Golden Age (The Gupta Era, c.320-550 CE), wondering that the city is a role model of heaven on earth, and could disappear in an instant, returning to heaven. To this day, this myth prevails and people from surrounding areas are wary of an overnight stay in this city. And I had the great fortune of visiting this celestial city, the abode of Lord Shiva, as Maha Kal, the one unconstrained by the travails of time and space. 

@Kala Bhairav Temple

@ Mangalnath

Ujjain, formerly Avantika is a historical and spiritual city located in Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh, on the banks of River Kshipra, through which the Tropic of Cancer passes. It is one of the Sapta Puri i.,e seven holiest Hindu cities, and is a popular pilgrimage site. It was the capital and grandest city of the Gupta Era, under the capable, aesthetic and popular reign of Chandragupta II Vikramaditya, and is one of the oldest cities that had been in continuous existence since times immemorial.

@ Gadh Kalika Devi Temple

@ Sandipani Ashram

The Mahakaleshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, as Maha Kal is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga Saiva Temples, noted for it's early morning Bhasma Arti ritual, and is the only major Saiva temple where the Shiva Linga is South facing. I booked an online Sheegra Darshan ticket and had a hassle free darshan, that took less than an hour. It was a truly divine experience to catch a glimpse of, and offer humble salutations to Lord Shiva. The recently renovated Maha Kal Lok Corridor surrounding the temple offers is a fantastic piece de resistance, soothing for an evening walk, resplendent with lighting and various Puranic sculptures representing Lord Shiva and his deeds. 

@ Vikramaditya Teela

There are many other temples and shrines in the city. The Temple of Gadh Kalika Devi, the Kul Devi of Kalidasa, is one of the Ashtadasa Shakti Peethas. Maa Harsiddha Temple is another iconic temple and is associated with Shaktism. Sree Mangalnath Temple - India's only temple dedicated to Mars / Mangal, on the banks of River Kshipra attracts huge crowds. Kal Bhairav Temple, Guardian of Ujjain, located a far is known for the offering (Prasad) of Alcohol. The Sandipani Ashram is associated with the epics Bhagavatam and Mahabharatham, and is the Ashram of Sage Sandipani, the Acharya of Lord Shri Krishna, Balarama and Sudama / Kuchela. Ujjain's beauty lies in it's versatility, where aesthetic excellence and scientific spirit coexisted, as vouched for by the presence of Arya Bhatta, Varahamihira among the Navratnas and the Jantar Mantar commissioned by Raja Sawai Jai Singh of Amber in 17th Century. 

   

@ Jantar Mantar

During the evening, Kshipra Harati at Ram Ghat offers a rejuvenating and blissful experience with the active participation of  the locals and the devout. One of the interesting features of this Kshetra is that the Maha Prasad never goes to waste. Ujjain is the ideal city, ruled by the ideal king, Vikramaditya, ever blessed by the Lord of time himself, and is etched forever in the annals of Indian history and spirituality. 

Vikramaditya's Ujjain - On Ujjain

Maheeth Veluvali, 

Monday, 13th of April, 2026.

Palakollu