Top 14 Things to Do in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

Attend the Kumbh Mela

Hindu scriptures say that Ujjain is one of four holy places where drops of amrita (the nectar of immortality) fell during a legendary fight between gods and demons, known as Samudra Manthan. The Kumbh Mela festival is held at each of these places (the others are Haridwar in Uttarakhand, Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh, and Nashik in Maharashtra) once every 12 years. The festival at Ujjain is called the Simhastha Kumbh Mela due to the specific configuration of planets, and the next one will happen in 2028. Attending is not for the faint of heart though! It's the largest religious gathering in the world, attracting millions of pilgrims and sadhus (Hindu holy men) every day. They come in the procession to cleanse their sins by taking a dip in the Shipra River and giving discourses to curious spiritual seekers.

Go Temple Hopping

Ujjain is a city of temples and each one has mythological stories associated with it. In fact, there are so many temples it would take at least a couple of days to unhurriedly visit them all. Mahakaleshwar temple, where Lord Shiva resides, is the main temple. Notably, it has a unique ritual where the idol is smeared with sacred ash at the start of each day. Opposite the temple, the huge idol of the beloved elephant-headed god (son of Lord Shiva) at Bada Ganesh Mandir is worth admiring. Across the lake, on the way to Ram Ghat, Harsiddhi Mata temple is another prominent temple in Ujjain where shakti (female energy) is worshipped. The temple was restored by the Marathas in the 18th century and its two pillars are beautifully illuminated with hundreds of lamps during the Navaratri festival.

To the north of the city, across the Shipra River, devotees give alcohol to Lord Kal Bhairav at his temple as part of a Tantra ritual. An intimidating manifestation of Lord Shiva, he helps guard the city and is distinctly fond of Royal Stag whiskey.

Other top temples include Gopal Mandir in Ujjain's main market area, Chintaman Ganesh temple, the ISKCON temple, and Mangal Nath Mandir. There's also a temple at Siddhavat, on the Shipra River, where an old banyan tree is said to have been planted by Goddess Parvati. The Bhartrihari Caves, where philosopher and poet Bhartrihari meditated in the 7th century, contain a small temple too. It's frequented by ash-smeared Nath sadhus.

Cleanse Your Body and Soul in the River

The Shipra River, also known as the Kshipra River, is one of the holiest rivers in India. There are many stories about it in the "Skanda Purana," an ancient Hindu text associated with Lord Shiva dating back to around the 6th century. Taking a dip in the river is believed to purify the body and soul. The most celebrated place to do this is Ram Ghat, where Lord Ram is said to have performed his father's last rites. However, there are other popular bathing ghats along the river.

Observe Local Life by the River

Even if you're not interested in the religious significance of Ram Ghat, it's still worth spending some time there to observe daily life. The ghat stretches for about a kilometer (0.6 miles) along the river and it's possible to stroll from one end to the other. Early mornings are really evocative, when the sun's rays warm the temples, the clang of temple bells vibrates through the air, and people perform their morning devotional rituals. Find a quiet spot to sit and relax, and the hours will disappear as you soak up the peaceful vibe.

Participate in the Evening Aarti

As the sun sets, Ram Ghat comes alive with the mesmerizing glow of earthen lamps, more clanging of bells, and chanting of mantras. This ritual, known as the Shipra aarti, takes place every evening to honor the river. The lamps are set afloat on the river, to be transported north to Lord Shiva's abode in the Himalayas. It's an unforgettable experience that soothes and uplifts with its tangible divine energy. Hire a boat and go out onto the river to get another perspective of it.

Sample Some Street Food

Ujjain's regional street food is a tempting fusion of Gujarati, Maharashtrian, and Rajasthani delicacies. Dozens of pushcarts serving snacks converge on Tower Chowk, the sprawling square beside the city's landmark clock tower, in the evenings. There's a dizzying array of items to choose from, including pani puri, bhel puri, vada pav, kachori, jalebi, samosa, poha, masala bhutta, different types of chaat, sabudana khichidi, Western hot dogs, and ice cream. The ice gola (crushed flavored ice) coated with rabri (sweetened condensed milk) is a must-try. It's foodie heaven!

The city is also famous for its bhang thandai, a sacred substance in Hindu culture that is closely associated with Lord Shiva. It's sold openly in shops in Ujjain, but do be aware that the milk drink is made with cannabis paste. You can get it at Sree Mahakaleshwar Bhaang Ghota, located on Mahakaleshwar Road near the temple; more than a century old, it was featured on the popular Indian travel and food show "Highway on my Plate."

Get Lost in the Lanes of the Old City

Just as much as Ujjain is a city of temples, it's also a city of alleyways. A tangle of slender lanes snakes from the railway station down to the river bank. Some are so narrow that cars can't pass through, but they're ideal to explore on foot. Those around Gopal Mandir, in the heart of the Old City, are perfect for getting lost. They won't feature in guidebooks and may appear unremarkable, but they're an integral part of the city's fabric. You never know what will unfold beyond each corner. Besides wandering along Ram Ghat, this is one of the best things you can do to get an authentic feel for the city!

Bargain at the Bazaars

The colorful bazaars of Ujjain also reflect the city's charm. You'll find them in the streets north of the railway station, with the area around Gopal Mandir being the busiest. Amid the melee of vendors, vehicles, and people, there are all kinds of goods for sale ranging from copper statues to clothing. Textiles are plentiful and many shops are stocked with irresistible batik-printed cotton cloth, a local specialty known as dabu.

Buy Batik at Behrugarh Village

If you're fond of Indian textiles, plan a trip to nearby Behrugarh (also called Bhairogarh) village, where the batik printing is done. This village is situated on the northern outskirts of Ujjain, between Kal Bhairav and Mangal Nath temples. It's been the hub of batik in Madhya Pradesh for hundreds of years, ever since craftsmen from Rajasthan and Gujarat migrated there during the Mughal era. These days, the village has about 800 artisans involved in traditional batik printing. It's carried out on sheets, saris, cushion covers, scarves, handkerchiefs, napkins, and more!

Admire the Architecture of Kaliyadeh Palace

Continue a few kilometers north of Behrugarh and you'll reach the ruins of the 15th-century red sandstone Kaliyadeh Palace. It was built on the Shipra River during the reign of Mahmud Khilji, the Sultan of Malwa, and has superb domed Persian architecture. With a bit of imagination, you can picture what Ujjain might have been like during this prosperous period, when the sultans went on a palace-building spree in the region. Inscriptions in one of the long corridors of Kaliyadeh Palace indicate that it was visited by the influential Mughal emperors Akbar and Jehangir. The palace was damaged in a war between the Marathas and Pindaris in 1818 and was neglected until 1920 when Maharaja Sir Madho Rao Scindia of Gwalior restored it. It's abandoned now, and visitors can walk through its arches and view the sun temple there.

See Where Lord Krishna Studied

Those who are spiritually inclined will appreciate a stop at Sandipani Ashram on the way to Mangal Nath Mandir. It belongs to Sandipani Muni, the guru who is stated in Hindu scriptures to have taught Lord Krishna. In fact, the ashram was a distinguished center of learning for more than 3,000 years! The priests who manage it today are direct descendants of the guru. What also makes the ashram unique is that it has a statue of Nandi (Lord Shiva's vehicle, the bull) in a rare standing position. Other attractions include a shrine commemorating Sandipani Muni, an ancient Shiva temple, and a reservoir called Gomti Kund that provides water to the ashram. Lord Krishna is said to have pressed his feet on the ground there to bring water from the Gomti River. Two highlights are the spot where Lord Krishna washed his slate for writing and a set of footprints attributed to him. The ashram is still functional and conducts summer courses in the Vedas, specifically the Shukla Yajur Veda, every year from April to June.

Learn About Ancient Indian Astronomy

Ujjain has an extraordinary geographical location—not only does the Tropic of Cancer pass through it, but it was also India's Prime Meridian (zero degrees longitude) before the world's official Prime Meridian was set at Greenwich in 1884. This was determined by ancient Indian mathematicians and astrologers way back when Ujjain was known as Avantika. It's documented in the "Surya Siddhanta," one of the earliest Hindu texts on astronomy written in the 4th century. Ujjain was a crucial center for mathematical and astronomical research in the 6th and 7th centuries.

Unfortunately, the city's first observatory was destroyed by invading Sultan Iltutmish, from Delhi, in 1235. It wasn't until the 18th century that Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh built the existing one, known as Jantar Mantar. It's one of five such observatories that he constructed in India (the others are in Delhi, Mathura, Varanasi, and Jaipur), and the only one that's still in use. Its intriguing astronomical instruments work by casting shadows. Jantar Mantar is open daily and there's a small entry fee. If you're there around noon on June 21, the day of the summer solstice, the sun will move directly overhead and your shadow will completely disappear for a minute!

Step Back in Time at Ujjain's Museums

Ujjain has a few quality museums that will interest history and archaeology buffs. Just east of the railway station, the Wakankar Museum is named after the award-winning Indian archaeologist who accidentally discovered Madhya Pradesh's prehistoric painted Bhimbetka Rock Caves in 1957. The museum has a fascinating collection of artifacts that include old rock art paintings.

The Triveni Art and Archaeological Museum (closed Mondays and government holidays), just south of the lake, was set up in 2016. It has three separate galleries showcasing religious sculptures and art related to lords Shiva and Vishnu, and the female energy shakti. In addition, many artifacts from Vikram University's Vikram Kirti Mandir Museum have been moved to the museum. They consist of various items from civilizations in the Narmada Valley during the Vikram Era, dating back to 58 B.C. Nearby, the Jain Museum has a comprehensive collection of artifacts belonging to the Jain religion.

Explore Sanskrit Classical Literature and Arts

A bit further down the road from Wakankar Museum is Kalidasa Academy. The Madhya Pradesh government established it in 1978 to preserve the works of poet Mahakavi Kalidasa, often referred to as the Shakespeare of India. Its purpose also extends to researching and promoting Sanskrit classical literature and arts in general. The massive campus has a library with more than 4,000 books (some of which are in English) that's open to the public. There are paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, stage costumes, masks, and musical instruments, too. Plus, you'll find a garden that was mentioned in Kalidasa’s works. The academy holds a wide program of events such as workshops, plays, films, classical and folk music recitals, and the annual week-long Kalidasa Samaroh festival (usually in November each year).