Ujjain Maha Kumbh Mela  2016

This festival will start on 22nd of April and will end on 21st of May 2016.

The Kumbh Mela is the most significant and eventful festival for Hindus, which is held every three years. The four important pilgrim centers which host it are Ujjain, Allahabad, Nashik and Haridwar. It is a pious and sacred festival for the Hindus in India.

Ujjain is situated near the river Shipra and it is considered as one of the most sacred places of India. During the Kumbh Mela, millions of devotees flock to Ujjain to take a holy dip and worship the river Shipra. The sadhus from all parts of India come to Ujjain to attend the Kumbh in order to attain liberation and salvation. Ujjain is also the place where Maharishi Sandipani had taught Lord Krishna, along with Sudama and Balarama.

When Guru(Jupiter) and the Sun are in the zodiac sign Scorpio(Vrishchik Rashi), it is celebrated at Ujjain. The Ujjain Kumbh Mela is referred to as the ‘Simhastha Kumbha Mela’. It is a totally different experience when devotees and sadhus come together and go ahead for the shahi snan – a dip in the sacred river Shipra, which is believed to get rid of all sins of a person. After taking a dip in river Shipra, all pilgrims visit the temple and bow before the Lord and they echo the name of the lord (Mahakalesvara). The next Simhastha Kumbha Mela will be held in Ujjain in 2016

The unique feature of the Simhastha Kumbha or the Simhastha Parva is the coming together of ten events, which are-

1. The Purnima (Full moon day)
2. The month of Baisakha
3. The bright fortnight
4. The brihaspati (Jupitor) in Leo
5. The sun in the arise (Mesha Rasi)
6. The vyatipata yoga
7. The moon in the libra (Tula rasi)
8. The holy Ksetra Avantika and
9. The pious Monday

There is an ancient banyan tree in Ujjain – Siddhawat which is believed to possess exemplary spiritual powers and many devotees and sages worship it and meditate under it. The city has also been home to great rulers such as King Chandragupta II and legendary scholars including Bhaskaracharya, Brahmagupta and Kalidasa.

Temples of Ujjain

There are many temples in Ujjain. The famous ones are Mahakaleshwar, Bade Ganeshji Ka Mandir, Harsidhhi Temple, Kal Bhairav, Chintaman Ganesh, Mangalnath Temple, Godkalika, Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan Temple, Jain Temples, Prashanti Dham, Maa Waageshwari, Triveni, Gopal Mandir, Siddhhanath, Gebi Hanuman, Shiv Shakti and the Vikram Kirti Temple.

Climate of Ujjain

The climate in Ujjain is sub-tropical just as in North-Central India. It has a hot summer from March-May and rains start in June and continue till October. Winter season is from mid November. Winters are very cold with the minimum temperature going to as low as 3°C.

Reaching Ujjain

Ujjain is well-connected to all major cities in India.

• Roadways – The state road transport service connects Ujjain to all major cities. Buses are available from Ahmedabad, Gwalior, Indore and Bhopal.
• Railways – The Ujjain Junction Railway Station is one of the important rail stations of the Western Railways. There are direct trains from all major cities in India.
• Airways –The nearest airport is the Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport, which is in Indore and it is 55 Kms from Ujjain. One can hire a taxi from there.