Ujjain

Ujjain Madhya Pradesh • India
Ujjain
Coordinates: 23.182778, 75.777222
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	• 491 m (1,611 ft)
District(s)	Ujjain
Population	429,933 (2001)

Ujjain (Hindi: उज्जैन) (also known as Ujain, Ujjayini, Avanti, Avantikapuri), an ancient city of Malwa in central India on the eastern bank of the Kshipra River (part of the state of Madhya Pradesh, is the administrative center of Ujjain District and Ujjain Division.

The epic Mahabharata speaks of Ujjayani as the capital of Avanti Kingdom during the ancient era, also serving as the first meridian of longitude for Hindu geographers since the fourth century B.C.E.. Ujjayani numbers among the seven sacred cities of the Hindus, with the Kumbh Mela religious festival held there every twelve years. Ujjain also serves as the home for Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines to the god Shiva.

History of Ujjain

Ancient Indian (Bharata) cities and Places(Title and location names are in English.)

Coin showing Karttikeya and Lakshmi (Ujjain, circa 150–75 B.C.E.)

The earliest references to the city, as Ujjaini, come from the time of the Buddha, when it served as the capital of the Avanti Kingdom. Since the fourth century B.C.E. the city has marked the first meridian of longitude in Hindu geography. Ujjain is reputed to have been the residence of Ashoka (who subsequently became the emperor), when he presided as the viceroy of the western provinces of the Maurya empire.

In the Post-Mauryan period, the Sungas and the Satavahanas ruled the city consecutively. The Satavahanas and the Ror Sakas (devotees of Shakumbari), known as Western Satraps contested for control of the city for a period. Following the end of the Satavahana dynasty, the Rors city retained Ujjain the from the second to the twelfth century C.E. Following the rise of the Gupta dynasty, the city soon became an important seat in the annals of that empire. Ujjain became the traditional capital of King Chandragupta II, also known as Vikramaditya, at whose court the nine poets known as the Navaratna (nine jewels) of Sanskrit literature inaugurated a golden age of Sanskrit literature.

In the sixth and seventh centuries, Ujjain became a major center of mathematical and astronomical research. Famous mathematicians who worked there included: Brahmagupta, whose book Brahmasphutasiddhanta spread the use of zero, negative numbers and the positional number system to Arabia and Cambodia; Varahamihira, the first to discover many trigonometric identities; and Bhaskaracharya, or Bhaskara II, whose book Lilavati broke new ground in many areas of mathematics.

The Delhi Sultanate led by Iltutmish invaded Ujjain in 1235, bringing widespread destruction and systematic desecration of temples. Under the Mughal emperor Akbar it became the capital of Malwa.

During the last half of the eighteenth century, Ujjain served as the headquarters of the Maratha leader Sindhia. The Scindias later established themselves at Gwalior, and Ujjain remained part of Gwalior state until Indian Independence in 1947. Gwalior state became a princely state of the British Raj after the Maratha defeat in the Third Anglo-Maratha War, and Gwalior, Ujjain, and the neighboring princely states became part of the Central India Agency. After Indian independence, the Scindia ruler of Gwalior acceded to the Indian Union, and Ujjain became part of the Madhya Bharat state. In 1956 Madhya Bharat merged into the Madhya Pradesh state.

Ancient monuments in Ujjain

Following is a description of temples and historical sites in Ujjain.

The Temples

File:Mahakal Temple Ujjain.JPG

Mahakal Temple Ujjain

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the twelve Jyotirlingams, the sacred abodes of Shiva. A three-story temple, on the Rudra Sagar side of the lake.

The main deity, Shiva in the lingam form 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. That is a unique feature, upheld by tantric tradition found only in Mahakaleshwar among the twelve jyotirlingas. The idol of Omkareshwar Shiva is consecrated in the sanctum above the Mahakal shrine. The images of Ganesh, Parvati and Karttikeya have been installed in the west, north and east of the sanctum sanctorum. To the south resides the image of Nandi. The idol of Nagchandreshwar on the third story is open for darśana or reverenced viewing only on the day of Nag Panchami.

The temple has five levels, one underground, located in a spacious courtyard surrounded by massive walls near a lake. The shikhara or the spire is adorned with sculptural finery. Brass lamps light the way to the underground sanctum.

Bade Ganeshji ka Mandir

Situated above the tank near the Mahakaleshwar Temple, Bade Ganeshji ka Mandir contains a gigantic artistic sculpture of Ganesha, the son of Shiva, of rare beauty and size. An idol of the panch-mukhi (five-faced) Hanuman adorns the middle of the temple. Classes for learning of Sanskrit and Astrology are offered in the temple.

Chintaman Ganesh temple

Chintaman Ganesh Ujjain.

Chintaman means "the assurer of freedom from worldly anxieties". Built across the Shipra(Kshipra) river on the Fatehabad railway line, Chintaman Ganesh temple houses a Ganesh idol supposed swayambhu or born of itself. Riddhi and Siddhi, the consorts of Ganesha, sit on either side of Ganesha. The temple, considered ancient, has artistically carved pillars in the assembly hall date back to the Paramara period. The temple sits about fifteen kilometers from the center of Ujjain.

Hara Siddhi Temple

This temple occupies a special place in the galaxy of ancient sacred spots of Ujjain. The temple is dedicated to Annapurna, seated between the idols of Mahalakshami and Mahasaraswati, the Annapurna is painted with a dark vermillion colour. The Shri Yatra, the symbol of power or shakti, is also enshrined in this temple. According to Shiva Purana, when Shiva carried away the burning body of Sati from the sacrificial fire, her elbow dropped at this place. There is an interesting legend in the Skanda Purana about the manner in which the Goddess Chandi acquired the epthet of Harassiddhi. Once whenShiva and Parvati were alone on mount Kailasha, two demons called Chanda and Prachanda tried to force their way in. Pleases Shiva bestowed upon her the epithet of Harasiddhi means 'one who vanquishes all'.

The temple was reconstructed during the Maratha period and has two pillars adorned with lamps, that are special features of Maratha art. There is an ancient well on the premises, and an artistic pillar adorns the top of it.

Kal Bhairava temple

File:Mahabelshwar Ujjain.jpg

Mahakaleshwar Jyothirlinga Temple

The worship of the eight Bhairavas is a part of Saivite tradition, and the chief among them is Kala Bhairava. The Kal Bhairava temple is believed to have been built by King Bhadrasen, on the banks of the Shipra. Mentioned in the Avanti Khanda of the Skanda Purana. Important for the Tantric Kapalika and Aghora sects, of which Ujjain was a prominent centre. Beautiful paintings in the Malwa style once decorated the temple walls, only traces of which are visible. The village of Bhairogarh, famous for its printing, takes its name from the temple, and is located very near.

Mangalnath temple

Shiva or Mahadeva is the deity which is worshipped in Mangalnath temple. The Mangalnath temple is situated away from the bustle of the city and looks down upon a vast expanse of the Kshipra River. It is regarded as the birth place of Mars (mangala in Hindi), according to the Matsya Purana. Famous for a clear view of the planet and hence suitable for astronomical studies.

Gopal Mandir

Constructed by Bayajibai Shinde, the queen of Maharajah Daulat Rao Shinde, in the 19th century. The door in the inner sanctum is believed to have been carried to Ghazni from the Somnath temple and from thence by Mahmud Shah Abdali to Lahore, from where it was rescued by Mahadji Scindia.

Other temples

• Navagraha Mandir (Triveni) - A temple dedicated to the nine planets.
• Ram Janardhan Temple.
• Harihara Tirtha.
• Mallikarjuna Tirtha.

Pir Matsyendranath

This is very attractive spot on the banks of Shipra River, quite close to the Bhartrihari Caves and the Gadkalika temple. The shrine is dedicated to a leader of the Natha sect of Shaivism- Matsyendranath. It is also venerated by Muslims. Excavations here have yielded artifacts dating to the 6th and 7th century B.C.E.

Siddhavat

Features an enormous banyan tree on the banks of the Shipra, considered sacred since the medieval ages. This banyan tree has got the same significance as that of akshayavata in Prayag and Gaya, Vanshivata of Vrindavan and Panchavata of Nasik. Thousands of people take dip in the Shipra River from the bathing ghats built here. According to one tradition, Parvati is believed have performed her penance here. It used to be a place of worship for the followers of the Natha sect. The little village of Bhairogarh near Siddhawat is famous for its tie-and-die printing for centuries. In ancient times, when the trade with other counties flourished, exquisitely printed cloth from Bhairogarh used to find its way to Rome and China.

Bhartrihari Caves

Bhartrihari, the step brother of Vikramaditya, is believed to have lived and meditated here after renouncing worldly life. His famous works, Shringarshataka, Vairagyashataka, and Nitishataka, were possibly written here.

Kaliadeh Palace

It is situated on the banks of Shipra River and a beautiful ancient site. It is believed that there was once a majestic Sun temple at this site. The Avanti-mahatmya of Skanda Purana has recorded a description of the Sun temple and two tanks, The Surya Kunda and the Brahma Kunda. Remains of old temple are scattered all around. A fragmented inscription of this place records building of the palace in 1458 C.E., in the time of Mahmud Khilji. The central dome of the palace is a beautiful example of Persian architecture. Two Persian inscriptions record the visits of Akbar and Jehangir to this palace. The palace was broken by the Pindaris and was restored by Madhav Rao Scindia in 1920.

Sandipani Ashram

Ujjain in ancient times, enjoyed the reputation of being a great seat of learning as early as the Mahabharata period. According to Puranic traditions, in the Ashrama of Guru Sandipani, Krishna and Sudama received their education. The area near the ashrama 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 ashrama in the olden days. An image of Nandi, belonging to the Shunga period, is to be found near the tank. The followers of the Vallabha sect regard this place as the 73rd seat of the 84 seats of Vallabhacharya where he delivered his discourses throughout India.

Durgadas Ki Chhatri

Durgadas fought for the independence of Jodhpur after the death of Maharaja Jaswant Singh and helped Ajit Singh to ascend the throne against the wishes of Aurangzeb. Durgadas died at Rampura in 1718 and his funeral rites were performed according to his wishes on the banks of Shipra River. The rulers of Jodhpur built the Chatri as Memorial to Durgadas, whose funeral rites were performed at this place in 1718. This structure built in Rajpur style of architecture, housed a statue of Durgadas which crumbled down.

Gadkalika

Inscription at Gadhkalika

Gadkalika, situated about two miles from the present town, the deity in this temple is believed to have been worshiped by Kalidasa. The legend goes that he was an idiot and it is by this devotion to the goddess Kalika that he acquired great literary skill. Believed to have been frequented by Kalidasa, this temple was renovated by Harshavardhan in the 7th century AD, and again during the Paramara period. The temple has been rebuilt in the modern times by the erstwhile Gwalior State.

Other places

File:Sun Dial Ved Shala Ujjain.jpg

Sun Dial at the Ved Shala

• Vedhashala - An observatory built by Raja Jai Singh II (1686-1743). It is located at 23°10′16.5″N 75°46′0″E. It is still in use, and is one of the five he built (the others include the Yantra mandir (Jaipur) and the Yantra Mandir (Delhi).

• Ram Ghat.
• Ganga Ghat.
• Bohron Ka Roja.
• Begum Ka Maqbara.
• Bina Neev Ki Masjid.
• Maulana Rumi Ka Maqbara.

Gallery

• Kalabhairava Temple Ujjain.JPG

  Kalabhairava Temple Ujjain

• Mahakal Jyotirlinga Ujjain.JPG

  Mahakal Jyotirlinga Ujjain

• Bhadrakali Ujjain.JPG

  Bhadrakali Temple Ujjain

See Also

• Malwa (Madhya Pradesh)
• Vikramāditya
• Maurya Empire
• Sunga Empire
• Brahmagupta
• Religion in India
• Hinduism

Notes

Links retrieved November 22, 2008.

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Chhabra, G. S. 1971. Advanced study in the history of modern India. New Delhi: Sterling Publishers. OCLC 247623.
• Morgan, Kenneth William. 1987. The religion of the Hindus. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 9788120803879.
• Room, Adrian. 1997. Placenames of the world: origins and meanings of the names for over 5000 natural features, countries, capitals, territories, cities and historic sites. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland. ISBN 9780786401727.
• Scholastic Library Publishing. 2005. Encyclopedia Americana. Danbury Conn: Scholastic Library Pub. ISBN 9780717201389.
• Smith, Vincent A. 1914. The early history of India from 600 b. C. to the Muhammadan conquest including the invasion of Alexander the Great. Oxford: Clarendon Press. OCLC 174877753.
• Struik, Dirk Jan. 1987. A concise history of mathematics. New York: Dover Publications. ISBN 9780486602554.

External Links

Links retrieved November 22, 2008.

• Holy City of Ujjain
• Mahakaleshwar Mandir
• Ujjain
• Research: Ujjain
• The Simhastha Kumbh of Ujjain
• Kumbha Mela at the Shipra River
• Ujjain

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