Ujjain
EasternHinducitySouth Asia600 BCE - present
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Location
Country
India
Region
South Asia
Coordinates
23.1793, 75.7849
Era
600 BCE - present
Site Type
City
About
One of the seven sacred cities and a Kumbh Mela host, home to the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga — one of twelve supreme Shiva shrines. The ancient prime meridian of Hindu astronomy passed through Ujjain.
Significance
As the seat of Mahakaleshwar (Shiva as Lord of Time), Ujjain is especially associated with Shiva's sovereignty over death and time; pilgrimage here is believed to grant liberation.
History & Historical Arc
Capital of the Avanti kingdom (600 BCE), later a Mauryan provincial capital where Ashoka served as governor; a major San…
Archaeological Notes
Excavations at Kayatha and Navdatoli near Ujjain reveal Chalcolithic and early Iron Age settlement; coins and inscriptio…
Key Features & Structures
- Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple
- Kumbh Mela grounds (Simhastha)
Visitor Information
Simhastha Kumbh Mela occurs every 12 years (next 2028); the Mahakaleshwar bhasma aarti at dawn draws thousands daily.
Related Figures
Mahakaleshwar (Shiva)KrishnaKalidasa