Destination Features

The presiding deity of time, Shiva, in all his splendour, reigns eternal in Ujjain. The temple of Mahakaleshwar, its shikhara soaring into the skies, an imposing façade against the skyline, evokes primordial awe and reverence with its majesty. The Mahakal dominates the life of the city and its people, even in the midst of the busy routine of modern preoccupations, and provides an unbreakable link with past traditions. One of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India, the lingam at the Mahakal is believed to be swayambhu (born of itself), deriving currents of power (Shakti) from within itself as against the other images and lingams which are ritually established and invested with mantra-shakti.
The idol of Mahakaleshwar is known to be dakshinamurti, facing the South. This is a unique feature, upheld by tantric tradition to be found only in Mahakaleshwar among the 12 jyotirlingas. The idol of Omkareshwar Shiva is consecrated in the sanctum above the Mahakal shrine. The images of Ganesh, Parvati and Karttikeya are installed in the west, north and east of the sanctum sanctorum. To the south is the image of Nandi. The idol of Nagchandreshwar on the third storey is open for darshan only on the day of Nagpanchami.
On the day of Mahashivaratri, a huge fair is held near the temple, and worship goes on through the night

The Mahakaleshwar temple at Ujjain is located near a lake; it has five levels, one of which is underground.The temple itself is located in a spacious courtyard surrounded by massive walls. The shikhara is adorned with sculptural finery. Brass lamps light the way to the underground sanctum. It is believed that prasada offered here to the deity can be re-offered unlike all other shrines

Sandipani Ashram: The fact that ancient Ujjain apart from its political and religious importance, enjoyed the reputation of being a great seat of learning as early as the Mahabharata period is borne out by the fact that, Lord Krishna and Sudama received regular instruction in the ashram of Guru Sandipani. The area near the ashram is known as Ankapata, popularly believed to have been the place used by Lord Krishna for washing his writing tablet. The numerals 1 to 100 found on a stone are believed to have been engraved by Guru Sandipani.
The Gomti Kunda referred to in the Puranas was the source of water supply to the ashram in the olden days. An image of Nandi, belonging to the Shunga period, is to be found near the tank. The followers of Vallabha sect regard this place as the 73rd seat of the 84 seats of Vallabhacharya where he delivered his discourses throughout India.

Mahakavi Kalidasa is
known to be the greatest repository of our national heritage. The serenity of his artistic accomplishment has earned for him a high place in the galaxy of world poets. Kalidasa's imagination holds in perfect fusion the two elements of natural beauty and human feelings. He has continued to display his relevance through the centuries. Surcharges with wider human sympathy and universal appeal his character has remained truly Indian. Thus, Kalidasa continues to shine throughout the world as one of the greatest exponent of Indian culture.
In keeping view of his memory at Ujjain, the department of culture of the government of Madhya Pradesh established the ‘Kalidasa Academy’ .In the year 1978. The basic idea of establishing Kalidasa Akademi in Ujjain is in twofold. One is to keep the memory of the great poet-dramatist Kalidasa constantly refreshed. The other is to establish a multi-disciplinary institution which would project the totality of classical tradition with Kalidasa as its center; provide facilities for research and study in Sanskrit classical and traditional performing arts and their adaptation for contemporary stage in different cultural and linguistic millions. The Kalidasa Akademi is designed to recapture the contribution of entire sanskrit classical tradition, theatre and fine arts and to represent its unique aesthetic vision to the international community.

Kumbha Mela is the largest spiritual festival known to humanity. It happens every 12 years in each of four places, the next of which is at Ujjain, in central India, in 2004. From all parts of India sadhus, sages, saints, and seers come to share a collective consciousness in celebration of the divine. The festival is punctuated by the taking of holy baths in the Shipra River on April 15, 22, 24, and May 1 and 4. Over 10 million people will attend.