City Of Victory
This comparatively quiet provincial town was one of the best known
cities of ancient India. (55 kms. from Indore) Ujjain is the modern
name for Ujjayini. Legend has it that the God-like King Shiva of
Avanti commemorated his victory over the demon ruler of Tripura on
the banks of the Narmada by changing the name of his capital
Avantipura to Ujjayini (one who conquers with pride). It is one of
the four centres of the Kumbh Mela attracting about 3 million
pilgrims every 12 years.Modern Ujjain is situated on the banks of the River Shipra regarded
since time immemorial as sacred. The belief in the sacredness of the
Shipra has its origins in the ancient Hindu mythological tale of the
churning of the ocean by the Gods and the demons with Vasuki the
Serpent as the rope.
The ocean bed first yielded fourteen gems then Lakshmi the goddess
of wealth and finally the coveted vessel of nectar. Then began the
wild scramble for immortality.With the demons chasing the Gods across the skies.In the process a
few drops were
Spilt and fell at Haridwar Prayag Nasik and Ujjayani hence the
sanctity of the waters of the Shipra. The magnificence and the
awesome spectacle of the bathing ritual at the Simhastha defy
description. Beginning on the full moon night in Chaitra (April) it
continues intoVaishaka (May) until the next full moon light. Ujjain
abounds in temples with hoary old traditions. Though most have
survived in their original splendour. Desecrated and despoiled time
and time again the structures that stand today are of a more recent
date renovated or rebuilt form the years. And yet the temples form
an integral part of the Ujjain’s tradition of greatness.Despite its relative obscurity today Ujjain ranks equally as a great
religious centre with such places as Varanasi Gaya and Kanchipuram.
The city really comes alive during Navratri (September /October).
Places of attraction
Mahakaleshwar Temple: The most important temple in Ujjain the Mahakaleswar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was rebuilt by
Marathas in the 18th century dominates the skyline. One of the 12
jyotirlingas ( Swayambhu-or born itself)-naturally occurring lingam
believed to derive currents of power ( Shakti) from within
themselves as opposed to lingam ritually invested with mantra-shakti
by the priests. The myths surrounding the ‘linga of light’ go back
to the 2nd century BC and were developed to
Explain and justify linga worship. The chaubis khamba Darwaza has 24
carved pillars which probably belonged to the medieval temple.
Bade Ganeshji Ka Mandir: Above the tank near the Mahakaleshwar
Mandir the large ornate statue of Ganesh here makes this temple a
popular pilgrimage spot.
Kaliadeh Palace: On an island in the Shipra River 8 kms north of
town is the water palace of Mandu sultans constructed in 1458. The
once imposing building was built on the site of an earlier Sun
temple. The central dome of the palace is a good example of Persian
architecture.
With the downfall of Mandu the palace gradually fell into ruin but
was restored along with the nearby sun temple by Madhav Rao Scindia
in 1920.
Chintaman Ganesh: This temple across the river is believed to have
ancient medieval origins. The artistically carved pillars of the
assembly hall were dated back to the Parmara period.
Harsiddhi Temple: It was built during the Maratha period this temple
enshrines a famous image of the goddess Annapurna. The two large
pillars adorned with lamps were a special feature of Maratha art and
are spectacular when lit at navratri (Dussehra)
In September/October.
The Vedh Shala (Observatory): Maharaja Jai Singh built one of his
quirky observatories here between 1725 and 1730. Astrologers can
purchase the complete year’s astronomical ephemeris in both English
and Hindi at the observatory.
Gopal Mandir: The marble-spired Gopal Mandir was built by the Queen
of Maharaja Daulat Rao Scindia in the 19th century and is a great
example of Maratha architecture. It is in the bazaar contains a
silver image of Krishna and an ornamental silver door.
Other places of interest include Pir Mastyendranath , Bhartrihari
Caves, Durgadas Ki Chhatri , Siddavat, Kal Bhairava , Gadkalika ,
Vikram Kirti Mandir, Navagraha Mandir ( Triveni), Panchkroshi Yatra,
Vikram University and the Kalidasa Academy.
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