8 Best Things to Do in Ujjain: Discover this Sacred City and Indulge in its Cultural Beliefs

Ujjain is counted amongst the seven most sacred cities in India, which is why it’s an important Hindu pilgrimage destination. The things to do in Ujjain are closely associated with the religious past and the cultural beliefs of this city and its people. Once you start discovering the layers of this city one by one, you’ll get a whole new insight and perspective regarding India. The spiritual vibes of Ujjain would draw you in and wash you over with a sense of calm and tranquility, which would ultimately result in a memorable holiday.

8 Things to Do in Ujjain: Seek Spiritual Pursuits in Ujjain

The city of Ujjain has been in existence since 700 B.C. and was famous as Avantika. Therefore, the temples and religious attractions here date back to a bygone era, which increases the significance of this city. A number of devotees gather here to seek blessings and to be a part of the spiritual awakening. You’ll truly experience a peaceful retreat as you soak in the serenity and faith that the people here have. It’ll make you believe in the power of God and that anything is possible as long as you are blessed by the Almighty. So, let’s see what this city has in store for you regarding the top things to do in Ujjain.

1. Go Boating at Ram Ghat
2. Seek Blessings at the Temples
3. Take a Dip in the Shipra River
4. Be a Part of the Evening Aarti
5. Walk Around the Old City
6. Shop at the Local Markets
7. Visit the Sandipani Ashram
8. Marvel at the Kaliadeh Palace

1. Go Boating at Ram Ghat: Observe the Local Life Around You

When you’re planning a vacation to Ujjain, it’s impossible to do so without adding a visit to Ram Ghat. It’s one of the most popular places in this city, which is on the banks of the Shipra River. As you boat on the river, you’ll get to see people going about their daily life, the chants from the temples, the tranquil water, and the serene views ahead of you. It’s the perfect way to get a taste of this holy city. You’ll feel relaxed and clear minded as you smoothly glide over the water. Ram Ghat is also where Kumbh Mela is organized once every 12 years, so you can also try visiting this city during that period.

Best time to go boating at Ram Ghat: Early morning

Fees: Around INR 100/-

Highlights:

• Observe the daily life
• Listen to the prayer chants
• A rejuvenating experience
• Sightsee the various temples

Tips for boating at Ram Ghat:

• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes
• Carry a water bottle
• Soak in the mesmerizing views

2. Seek Blessings at the Temples: Pay Respect at the Temples in Ujjain

The ancient temples in this city are worth visiting because of the legends associated with it and they’ll also give you a glimpse of the faith of the devotees who pray here. There are several prominent temples here, but the Mahakaleshwar temple is a notable one. This temple is one of the 12 jyotirlingas, which is why it’s considered a sacred destination. One of the things to do in Ujjain Mahakaleshwar temple is to participate in the Bhasma Aarti that takes place at 4 A.M. Apart from this, the Bada Ganesh Mandir, Harsiddhi Mata Temple, Kal Bhairav Temple, etc. are also popular among devotees. The peaceful atmosphere around these temples would urge you to spend some time soaking in the tranquility and the presence of the divine.

Temple timings:

Mahakaleshwar Temple timings: 3 A.M to 11 P.M

Harsiddhi Mata Temple timings: 5 A.M to 7 P.M

Kal Bhairav Temple timings: 6 A.M to 10 P.M

Bada Ganesh Mandir timings: 5 A.M to 12 P.M and 4 P.M to 8 P.M

Highlights:

• Soak in the positive vibes
• Pray to the Gods and Goddesses
• Admire the architecture of the temples

Tips for visiting temples in Ujjain:

• Wear modest clothes
• Respect the culture and traditions
• Participate in the rituals
• Try visiting during aarti time

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3. Take a Dip in the Shipra River: Purify Your Body in the Holy River

The Shipra River is believed to be the holiest river in the country, and it’s also mentioned in ancient Hindu texts dating back to the 6th century. The people here are of the view that taking a dip in the sacred water of this river would purify your body and soul, which is why you’d come across several devotees on the ghats surrounding this river. One of these ghats is the Ram Ghat, where Lord Rama performed the last rites of his father. It’s among the most important things to do in Ujjain; otherwise, your trip here is incomplete.

Tips for taking a dip in the river:

• Carry an extra set of clothing
• Be careful while entering the river

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4. Be a Part of the Evening Aarti: Witness the Ethereal Shipra Aarti

One of the things to do in Ujjain that you can’t miss out on is participating in the evening aarti at Ram Ghat. The moment the sun sets, you’ll notice a shift in energy as the whole place comes alive with the sound of chants, ringing bells, glowing lamps, and so on. The Shipra Aarti is to honor the river, and the lamps are set afloat towards the North to transport them to Lord Shiva in the Himalayas. It’s a whole other feeling to be a part of such an enchanting and mystical experience, which would be etched in your memories for a lifetime.

Shipra aarti timings: During sunset

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5. Walk Around the Old City: Explore the Alleys and Lanes

Apart from temple hopping, you can also go around exploring the old city. The beautiful alleys and narrow lanes merging into one another would take you through the best parts of this city. It’s an underrated activity, but a fascinating one as it’ll allow you to observe people going about their daily life. You might even come across hidden gems in Ujjain as you explore the nooks and crannies, so instead of visiting popular places to visit in Ujjain, try delving into the mundane pursuit of walking around the city.

Tips for exploring the old city:

• Travel on foot as some lanes are too narrow for cars to pass
• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes

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6. Shop at the Local Markets: Time for Some Retail Therapy

The vibrantly colored markets in Ujjain are the ideal place to shop for souvenirs, copper statues, batik-printed cotton clothes, handicrafts, and much more. The market near Gopal Mandir is the most famous one in the city, and apart from that, you can also visit the one around the railway station. You’ll come across several street markets, vendors, and shops selling amazing products that you’d be tempted to buy. Shopping in a new city is a must-do activity, so indulge in this pleasure of buying the specialties of Ujjain.

Tips for shopping in Ujjain:

• Bargain for the prices
• Buy the specialties of the city

What to buy from Ujjain: Handicrafts, cotton clothes with Batik prints, souvenirs, etc.

Famous markets in Ujjain: Near Gopal Mandir, markets surrounding the railway station

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7. Visit the Sandipani Ashram: Where Lord Krishna Gained Knowledge

Sandipani Ashram is one of the famous attractions in India, especially for Lord Krishna devotees because it’s where Sandipani Muni taught Lord Krishna, as per the Hindu scriptures. You’ll come across the Gomti Kund, which provides water to the entire place, and it’s believed that Lord Krishna brought water from the Gomti River to fill this Kund by pressing his feet here. Therefore, there’s a set of footprints of the Lord beside the slate that he used to learn on. There’s also a statue of Nandi, Lord Shiva’s bull here, which is in a unique standing position. These highlights are the reason why it’s among the popular things to do in Ujjain. Currently, the priests looking after this ashram are descendants of Sandipani Muni, and the ashram still offers courses on Vedas from April to June.

Sandipani Ashram timings: 9 A.M to 7 P.M

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8. Marvel at the Kaliadeh Palace: Admire the Gorgeous Architecture

Kaliadeh Palace is a stunning work of art on the Shipra River, which was built during the 15th century in red sandstone. It has now become a ruin, but its magnificence has not been affected in the slightest. Since this palace was built by Mahmud Khilji, you’ll see a heavy Persian influence in the architecture and the structure of this monument. As per the inscriptions in the palace, Emperor Akbar and Jehangir had visited this temple. This palace was destroyed during the war between the Marathas and Pindaris, but it was restored by Madhav Rao Scindia in 1920. It’s one of the things to do in India because of the rich history this palace holds within. You can walk around the hallways and arches here and marvel at the glorious place it was in the past.

Kaliadeh Palace timings: Open 24 hours

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Ujjain’s gorgeous temples, palaces, serene rivers, etc. all adorn this city beautifully, turning it into a charming destination. It’s a haven for religious people to come and spend some peaceful downtime in the vicinity of the divine and to feel connected to them. Therefore, the things to do in Ujjain are quite spiritual and religious as it allows you to see the best of this city. You can go temple hopping, boat in the river, and visit historically significant attractions. So, if you’re convinced to plan a retreat to this city away from the hustle and bustle, then book our India travel packages.

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