10 Best Places to Visit in Ujjain: Vacation in this Ancient City in Madhya Pradesh

Ujjain is one of the most famous destinations in Madhya Pradesh because of its historical and religious significance. It was the home of King Asoka and houses several temples that hold great importance for the locals. The places to visit in Ujjain are absolutely alluring because of their charming essence and spiritual aura. The moment you arrive in this city, you’ll be greeted by a majestic and tranquil atmosphere that will calm you instantly. So, take a trip to this holy city and acquaint yourself with the past of Ujjain.

10 Glorious Places to Visit in Ujjain: Embark on a Soul-Stirring Journey

This pilgrimage destination is quite significant to Hindus because of the religious temples dotting this city. Ujjain is located on the banks of Shipra River and offers the tourists a chance to immerse themselves in the culture and traditions of the city. It’s also the city where Kumbh Mela is held every 3 years, so if you’re visiting Ujjain during that time, you must visit this popular fair. Now, let’s look at the places to see in Ujjain for a spiritually rich holiday.

1. Ram Mandir Ghat
2. Harsiddhi Temple
3. ISKCON Ujjain Temple
4. Mahakaleshwar Temple
5. Kaliadeh Palace
6. Bhartrihari Caves
7. Kal Bhairava Temple
8. Bada Ganesh Mandir
9. Gomti Kund
10. Birla Mandir

1. Visit Ram Mandir Ghat for Bathing in the Holy Waters

Being one of the oldest bathing ghats, this must-visit destination is significant to the Hindus as it’s one of the four places where the Kumbh Mela is organized every 12 years. The Ram ghat is one of the most popular places to visit in Ujjain for religious people because it’s believed that Lord Vishnu dribbled a few drops of Amrit here. Therefore, people take a dip in the holy water of Shipra River to wash off their sins. It's among the famous things to do in India. It’s where you’ll get a glimpse of the strong belief and faith people hold in this city. Another attraction here is the mesmerizing sunset that you get to witness from this ghat.

Best time to visit Ram Mandir Ghat: 6 A.M onwards

Ram Mandir Ghat Aarti timings:

Saturday – 6:30 P.M onwards

Time required: 1 to 2 hours

Distance from Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport Indore airport: Approx. 60 km

Distance from Ujjain Junction: Approx. 2 km

Distance from the city center: Approx. 2 km

Nearby attractions in Ram Mandir Ghat: Temple of Chitragupta

Ram Mandir Ghat travel tips:

• Wear decent clothes
• You must take a dip in the water
• Explore the nearby temples
• Carry an extra set of clothes
• Respect the culture and tradition
• Visit during the evening aarti

2. Explore the Sacred Harsiddhi Temple with Family

When you’re in Ujjain, you can’t miss out on visiting the Harsiddhi temple, which is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths of Mata Sati. It’s among the popular attractions in India because according to legend, when Goddess Parvati entered the sacrificial fire, her body was carried by Lord Shiva, but her elbow fell here, so a temple dedicated to her was built here. The highlight of this temple is that it’s entirely red in color, and the idol of Goddess Annapurna is colored in dark vermillion and is situated between the idols of Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Laxmi. You’ll come across a Maratha essence in the architecture because it was the Marathas who repaired this temple and restored it.

Best time to visit Harsiddhi Temple: 5 A.M to 7 P.M

Harsiddhi Temple aarti timings:

Morning - 7 A.M to 8 A.M

Evening - 6 P.M to 7 P.M

Time required: 1 to 2 hours

Distance from Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport Indore airport: Approx. 58 km

Distance from Ujjain Junction: Approx. 3 km

Distance from the city center: Approx. 5 km

Nearby attractions in Harsiddhi Temple: Mahakaleshwar Temple

Harsiddhi Temple travel tips:

• Respect the customs and traditions
• Dress up decently

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3. Worship Lord Krishna at ISKCON Ujjain Temple  

ISKCON Temple is a famous temple in many parts of India, especially for the devotees of Lord Krishna. The one here is especially one of the captivating Ujjain tourist places because it’s believed that Lord Krishna along with Balaram and Sudama received education in this city. You’ll come across the idols of Lord Krishna, Balram and Sri Gauri Nitai that will take away all your worries instantly. They are vibrantly dressed in the finest clothes and jewelry. You’ll be amazed by the architecture of this temple along with the interiors that include a Tulsi Garden, sculptures of various Hindu deities, and colorful flower beds.

Best time to visit ISKCON Temple: 7:30 A.M to 1 P.M and 4 P.M to 9:15 P.M

ISKCON Temple aarti timings:

Morning: 4:30 A.M onwards

Evening: 4:30 P.M onwards

Time required: 2 to 3 hours

Distance from Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport Indore airport: Approx. 55 km

Distance from Ujjain Junction: Approx. 6 km

Distance from the city center: Approx. 3 km

Nearby attractions in ISKCON Temple: Vikran Kirti Mandir

ISKCON Temple travel tips:

• Wear modest clothes
• Don’t disrespect the culture and traditions
• Try Vaishnava food

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4. Stop By the Marvelous Mahakaleshwar Temple

Among the Ujjain famous places is the Mahakaleshwar Temple, which is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. You can expect a huge number of devotees visiting this place from all over the world to seek blessings of Lord Shiva. You’ll be astounded to know that the shivalinga here derives power from itself as compared to other shivalingas that are given mantra shakti through rituals. It’s also believed to be the place where Goddess Parvati’s upper lip fell and the power or shakti from it is referred to as Mahakali. There are several unique aspects of this temple that you should explore by visiting this must-visit attraction.

Best time to visit Mahakaleshwar Temple: 4 A.M to 11 P.M

Mahakaleshwar Temple aarti timings: 4 A.M

Time required: 1 to 2 hours

Distance from Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport Indore airport: Approx. 57 km

Distance from Ujjain Junction: Approx. 2 km

Distance from the city center: Approx. 3 km

Nearby attractions in Mahakaleshwar Temple: Rudra Sagar Lake

Mahakaleshwar Temple travel tips:

• You’d have to apply for a ticket to be a part of Bhasma aarti via their website or by standing in line outside the temple a day before. The applications are accepted till 12:30 P.M and the list is uploaded by 7 P.M.
• Dress in modest clothes
• Respect the traditions of the temple

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5. Feel the Persian Influence at Kaliadeh Palace

Kaliadeh Palace is an extremely significant tourist attraction in Ujjain because of its rich history. So, if you were thinking that there aren’t any places to visit in Ujjain, except temples, then explore this location. This palace was built by the King of Mandu in 1458 AD and was once famous for having the most magnificent Sun God temple in its premises. However, it was destroyed by the Pindaris and restored by Madhavrao Scindia later in 1920. You can observe the Persian influence on this palace in its carvings, and since it was a popular monument of the time, King Akbar and Jehangir had also visited this palace. Surrounded by the Shipra River from two sides, you’ll be mesmerized by the beauty of this place, even though it's not the same as what it was earlier.

Best time to visit Kaliadeh Palace: 9 A.M to 6 P.M

Time required: 1 to 2 hours

Distance from Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport Indore airport: Approx. 71 km

Distance from Ujjain Junction: Approx. 9 km

Distance from the city center: Approx. 12 km

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6. The Popular Bhartrihari Caves for Meditation

If you’re acquainted with Hindu mythology, you’d be aware that Bhartrihari was the stepbrother of Vikramaditya who renounced all materialistic desires and became an ascetic. This cave is believed to be where he meditated for 12 years. The idols of Hindu deities, stone images carved on the walls, a glorious statue of rishi Bhartrihari in a sitting position, Mahadeva’s trident, and the holy ash Dhuni are some of the things you’ll get to witness inside this cave. However, due to the narrow entrance, it might be tricky to enter. Apart from the devotees, the Nath community sets up tents outside this cave to meditate. It’s definitely one of the things to do in Ujjain to experience the calm Bhartrihari might have felt.

Best time to visit Bhartrihari Caves: 6 A.M to 9 P.M

Time required: 1 to 2 hours

Distance from Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport Indore airport: Approx. 62 km

Distance from Ujjain Junction: Approx. 4 km

Distance from the city center: Approx. 5 km

Nearby attractions in Bhartrihari Caves: Gadkalika Temple

Bhartrihari Caves travel tips:

• Explore the inside of the cave
• Meditate here for some time

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7. Pray to the Guardian Deity in Kal Bhairava Temple  

The list of places to visit in Ujjain is incomplete without adding this temple to it because it’s a religious site that records the highest footfall of tourists. You’ll encounter the fierce side of Lord Shiva in this temple as it’s the most significant of the eight Bhairavas. The locals here worship the ashta bhairava as he is the chief God of Saivites and was also popular in the Aghora and Kapalika sects that were based in Ujjain. It’s also believed that this temple was associated with the Tantra cult who performed black magic. There’s also a Nandi Bull here that was gifted by the King Daksha and a shivlinga under a Banyan tree that is famous, especially during the Mahashivratri.

Best time to visit Kal Bhairava Temple: 6 A.M to 8 P.M

Kal Bhairava Temple aarti timings:

Morning - 7 A.M to 8 A.M

Evening – 6 P.M to 7 P.M

Time required: 1 to 2 hours

Distance from Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport Indore airport: Approx. 69 km

Distance from Ujjain Junction: Approx. 6 km

Distance from the city center: Approx. 8 km

Kal Bhairava Temple travel tips:

• Dress decently
• Follow the customs and traditions in the temple

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8. Visit Bada Ganesh Mandir for Wish Fulfillment

If you’re in the holy city of Ujjain and haven’t visited the Bada Ganesh Temple, then it’s imperative that you do. This temple has the largest idol of Lord Ganesha, which is 18 ft in height and 10 ft wide. In addition to this, you’ll also come across a statue of Hanuman in the center of the temple, which was established even before the idol of Lord Ganesha. It’s believed that whosoever makes a wish here, it gets fulfilled in no time. You can also learn Sanskrit and astrology in the temple, if you’re curious. It’s one of the most celebrated Ujjain places to visit that you cannot miss out on.

Best time to visit Bada Ganesh Mandir: 5 A.M to 12 P.M and 4 P.M to 8 P.M

Time required: 1 to 2 hours

Distance from Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport Indore airport: Approx. 58 km

Distance from Ujjain Junction: Approx. 2 km

Distance from the city center: Approx. 3 km

Nearby attractions in Bada Ganesh Mandir: Mahakaleshwar Temple

Bada Ganesh Mandir travel tips:

• Respect the traditions
• Dress up modestly
• Make a wish to the deity

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9. Feel the Holy Vibes at Gomti Kund

Gomti Kund is one of the major attractions in Ujjain. The belief that Sri Krishna created this small pond by collecting holy water from all over the world, so that his guru Maharishi Sandipani wouldn’t have to walk to them is the primary reason. The serenity and spiritual vibes at this place are perfect to spend some peaceful downtime and to get lost in your thoughts. It’s among the excellent places to visit in Ujjain for couples because of the beauty of this location surrounded in lush greenery. This pond is the only water supply for the entire ashram till today and pilgrims from all over the world wish to visit this place at least once in their life.

Best time to visit Gomti Kund: 6 A.M onwards

Time required: 1 to 2 hours

Distance from Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport Indore airport: Approx. 61 km

Distance from Ujjain Junction: Approx. 5 km

Distance from the city center: Approx. 6 km

Nearby attractions in Gomti Kund: Sandipani Ashram

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10. Marvel at the Architecture of Birla Mandir

This revered Hindu temple was built by the Birla family and there are many such temples across India that are famous for their architectural marvel. The sliced sandstones, gardens, fountains, and mesmerizing designs leave you in awe of its beauty. You can seek blessings of Lord Vishnu here and relax in the expansive gardens here, enjoying the view of the gorgeous fountains and lush greenery. These temples are considered famous travel places in Asia, so you should definitely visit it.

Best time to visit Birla Mandir: 6 A.M to 12 P.M, 4 P.M to 8 P.M

Time required: 2 to 3 hours

Distance from Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport Indore airport: Approx. 116 km

Distance from Ujjain Junction: Approx. 55 km

Distance from the city center: Approx. 57 km

Birla Mandir travel tips:

• Respect the religious and cultural traditions
• Dress up in decent clothes

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The beauty of Ujjain is in the temples here, that keep a rich part of history hidden inside them. Once you visit these temples and learn about their history, you’ll see this city in a new light. The places to visit in Ujjain offer you a chance to immerse yourself in the cultural and religious practices of this city, which would enrich your experience here. It’ll let you escape the hustle and bustle of cosmopolitan cities and give you a breather to relax and unwind in the tranquil surroundings. So, book our Ujjain tour packages for a trip to this charming city in Madhya Pradesh.

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