10 Temples to Visit in Ujjain for Spiritual Awakening

Ujjain, an ancient city which is situated on the banks of the river Kshipra, holds an important place as a Hindu pilgrimage site in India. Besides hosting the grand Kumbh Mela, Ujjain is home to some of the most famous temples, monuments and other tourist attractions that proffer a divine insight into the city’s rich cultural heritage. That is the reason why Ujjain witnesses a high footfall of a profusion of devotees, history buffs, and ardent followers every year.

There are several religious sites and temples in Ujjain including the Mahakal Mandir, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and some of the famous Shakti Peethas, offering the best spiritual vacay. Take a trip to this spiritual town with our specially curated list of famous temples, included among the best places to visit in Ujjain.

1. Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain

Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, also known as Mahakal Mandir and Ujjain Jyotirlinga, is a prominent Hindu pilgrimage site, which is included in most Ujjain tour packages. Located in Jaisinghpura, this Ujjain Shiv Mandir is dedicated to Lord Shiva and among the 12 Jyotirlingas which are considered being the holiest abodes of Shiva. Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple Ujjain is surrounded by the massive Rudra Sagar Lake and showcases its sculptural artistry, designed in the Maratha and Chalukya style. Additionally, the beautiful sculptures of Lord Ganesha, Parvati and Kartikeya adorn the temple walls, adding to its architectural design. Best time to visit the temple is on Mahashivratri when the devotees of Lord Shiva gather in the temple complex to offer prayers in his honour.

2. Kal Bhairav Temple, Ujjain

Yet another famous temple in Ujjain, Kal Bhairav Mandir is associated with the tantra cult of Hinduism. The temple is one of the finest examples of ancient Hindu culture which enshrines a Shivalinga placed under an old Banyan tree and opposite the statue of Nandi. Kal Bhairav Temple in Ujjain witnesses a high footfall of devotees at the time of Mahashivratri. The festival is one of the largest and most significant among the sacred festival nights in India, making it the best time to visit the temple. It is considered being the darkest night of the year which celebrates the grace of Shiva.

3. Harsiddhi Temple, Ujjain

Harsiddhi Temple in Ujjain is a renowned Hindu pilgrimage site in the city that was built by the legendary King Vikramaditya, in the honour of Goddess Harsiddhi. Also known as the Harsiddhi Mata Mandir, the temple is among the 51 Shakti Peethas located near the Kshipra River in Ujjain. Devotees believe that the elbow of Sati fell at that spot in the city while Lord Shiva was carrying her burning body and performing tandav. Harsiddhi Mandir in Ujjain is built from red sandstone and reflects the Maratha architecture. It enshrines three goddesses placed one on top of another, namely Annapurna, the Goddess of nourishment; Mahasaraswati, the Goddess of wisdom and Mahalakshmi, the Goddess of wealth.

4. Mangalnath Temple, Ujjain

Another sacred place in Ujjain which is famous as a Shiv Mandir is the Mangalnath temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Mangal, son of Lord Shiva and also considered as his birthplace. As per Matsya Purana, the temple is located on the spot where Lord Shiva had a violent battle with Andhakasura and during the battle, three drops of Lord Shiva’s sweat fell from his forehead on the ground, forming a linga which was named after the planet Mars, also known as Mangal. Mangalnath temple in Ujjain is located on a hill and overlooks the vast stretch of calm water of Kshipra River. The site is also famous for offering a clear view of the planet Mars and is highly preferred for astronomical studies.

5. Navgrah Shani Mandir, Ujjain

A one-of-a-kind Hindu pilgrimage site, Navgrah Shani Mandir is quite a famous temple in Ujjain which is touted as the first Navgrah mandir and the only Shani Mandir in the world where Lord Shani is worshipped as Lord Shiva. The temple pays homage to the nine planets, namely Surya, Chandra, Mangal, Buddh, Guru, Rahu, Shukra, Ketu and Shani. The best time to visit this temple is on Saturdays or Amavasya nights, considered as the auspicious day to worship Lord Shani. During this time, the entire temple complex is dotted with thousands of devotees feeding the crows and offering oil to the deity of Lord Shani.

6. Shri Chintaman Ganesh Temple, Ujjain  

Chintaman is an ancient Hindu word which means ‘relieving stress’ and that is what Lord Ganesha is known for. It is believed that Lord Ganesha takes away all the stress and tension of the devotees who visit the temple and offer prayers to the lord. Shri Chintaman Ganesh Temple is the biggest temple of Lord Ganesha in Ujjain and dates back to the 11th and 12th centuries when Paramaras ruled over Malwa. Its finely carved stone pillars and white shrine clearly defines the age-old architectural design. Locals believe that the idol of Lord Ganesha enshrined in the temple was created of its own accord with Riddhi and Siddhi placed beside him as they are his consorts.

7. Ram Ghat, Ujjain

Located adjacent to the Harsiddhi Mata temple in Ujjain, Ram Ghat is believed to be the spot where Lord Ram used to take bath during Vanvas. Owing to which, the ghat is one of the most frequented religious sites in Ujjain and also among the four auspicious places to host the Kumbh Mela in the city after every 12 years. On a regular basis, devotees can take a dip in the water which is believed to take away all the sufferings and help attain salvation. Besides religious significance, the ghat offers a perfect place for leisure walks in the morning and evening.

8. Shri Gadhkalika Temple, Ujjain

Gadhkalika temple in Ujjain is an ancient pilgrimage site which is located on the outskirts of the city. Built in the ancient times and remodelled by King Harhwardhan, the temple enshrines an idol of Lord Ganesha that has an exquisite status. Besides, it has other idols of famous Hindu gods and goddesses for the devotees to worship. The best time to visit the temple is during Navratri and Durga Puja when its complex is beautifully decorated and crowded with thousands of devotees offering prayers and participating in religious ceremonies. Goddess Kalika is believed to bless her devotees with scholarly skills and hence worshipped by scholars and researchers to excel in their fields of education. The temple is located in proximity to the famous Gomti Kund in Ujjain. Peacefully nestled amidst the lush environs of Sandipani Ashram, the kund is a steep water tank which holds an auspicious place among Hindu pilgrims visiting Ujjain. It is believed that Lord Krishna summoned the holy waters from all the pilgrims across the world and created the Gomti Kund for his guru Sandipani so that he doesn’t have to travel to each of those pilgrims. Besides, the kund also serves as the perennial source of water supply in the entire Sandipani Ashram.

9. Shri Dwarkadhish Gopal Mandir, Ujjain

Dedicated to Lord Krishna, also known as Dwarkadhish, the temple’s architecture takes you back to the early 19th century. Located in the heart of the city, it is a marble-spired structure enshrining a 2-feet tall statue of Lord Krishna. The temple was built by Bayaji Shinde, wife of Maratha king Daulatrao Shinde and has a Maratha art of architecture. Besides Lord Krishna, the temple houses statues of Lord Shiva, Parvati and Garuda. The best time to visit the temple is during Janmashtami and Harihar Parva to witness the enthusiasm of devotees at the temple.

10. Shri Chaubis Khamba Mata Temple, Ujjain  

Your quest to seek spiritual awakening when in Ujjain is incomplete without paying a visit to Shri Chaubis Khamba Mata Temple. As the name says, the Chaubis Khamba Mata Temple complex comprises 24 poles, forming a unique identity for itself among the famous temples to visit in Ujjain. The temple’s intricate and captivating architectural design takes you back to the 9th and 10th century with the beautiful images of the guardian goddesses Mahamaya and Mahalaya. This place is known for its immense tranquility and offers a peaceful atmosphere to the devotees who visit the temple. To make the most out of your visit, come here during Navratri or Mahashivratri.

Ujjain is dotted with numerous religious places and temples for tourists to get a glimpse of the city’s glorious past. Plan a religious trip to Ujjain; spiritual awakening is just around the corner.