"Older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, And looks twice as old as all of them put together " - Mark Twain
Ujjain, also known as Ujjayini and Avanti, is the ancient city of India. Ujjain is a melting pot, where both death and life come together.
Ujjain, the city of Moksha for Hindus since centuries, is famous for a site for the Kumbh Mela, fine-quality bheravgarh print bedsheet, malvi food and Avimukta of the ancient days, Ujjain is the most popular pilgrimage point for the Hindus. One of the seven holiest cities, Ujjain city is also one the Shakti Peethas and one of the twelve Jyotir Linga sites in India. In Hinduism it is believed that those who die and are cremated here get an instant gateway to liberation from the cycle of births and re-births.
Considered as the abode of Lord Shiva, Ujjain is situated on the banks of River Shipra which is believed to have the power of washing away all of one's sins. As pundits here will tell you, whatever is sacrificed and chanted here or given in charity reaps its fruits thousand times more than those good deeds performed at other places because of the power of that place.
The most famous temple of Ujjain is Mahakeleshwara temple. This Shiva temple is dedicated to one of the twelve 'Jyotirlingas' in India. Apart from this temple, there are other temples to visit in Ujjain like Bade Ganeshji ka Mandir, Chintaman Ganesh Temple, Mangalnath, Harsiddhi Temple, Siddhavat, Kaal Bhairava, Gopal Temple, Pir Matsyendranath and Navgraha Mandir.