Tourist Places in MP: The Holy City of Lord Bhagwan Shankar Mahakal, Ujjain

INTRODUCTION

The Holy City of Lord Bhagwan Shankar Mahakal, The Holy City of Lord Bhagwan Shankar Mahakal, Ujjain The Holy City of Lord Bhagwan Shankar Mahakal Ujjain

Introduction

The Holy City of Lord Mahakal, Ujjain, is known by several names in Vedas and Puranas. The word ‘Avanti’ has repeatedly surfaced in the verses of Vedas. Another name Ujjayini has emerged in the sutra “Striyamwanti Kurubhyashcha” of great scholar Panini. The Holy City of Lord Bhagwan Shankar Mahakal, Ujjain was named after King Kartavirya Arjun’s son Avanti which was later called as

Avantika, Avantipuri, Avanti Nagri or Avantikapuri. The Holy City of Lord Bhagwan Shankar Mahakal, Ujjain was even called as Vishala due to its large area and Padmavati due to its grand places and prosperity.

In ancient times, The Holy City of Lord Bhagwan Shankar mahakal, Ujjain had several names including Padmavati, Swarnashringa, Kushashthali, Avantika, Amravati and Churamani. It was also called ’Kanakshringa’ due to the golden designs on its structures. It was named as ‘Kumudvati’ because flowers were found in abundance here.

The Holy City of Lord Bhagwan Shankar Mahakal, Ujjain was called as ‘Pratikalpa’ as it was ruined and settled frequently.

According to the Brahmapuran, Ujjayini was described as one of the most significant city of the world. Equipped with all kinds of joys, it was called as ‘Bhogavati’ while The

Holy City of Lord Bhagwan Shankar Mahakal, Ujjain was also known as ‘Hiranyavati’ due to the prosperity.

The Holy City of Lord Bhagwan Shankar Mahakal, Ujjain was called as ‘Vikrampuri’ as it was the capital of king

Vikramaditya, the founder of Vikram Samvat calendar while it was named Mahakalpuri or Shivpuri as world’s famous Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is situated here. The Holy City

of Lord Bhagwan Shankar Mahakal, Ujjain has been named as Avanti in the epics like Vedas, Valmiki Ramayan and Mahabharat.

The most popular name ‘Ujjayini’ is still in use with a slight modification as Ujjain. The Holy City of Lord Bhagwan Shankar Mahakal, Ujjain was prosperous due to its richness of gardens. In ‘Prakrit’

language, garden is called ‘Ujjain’ and thus The Holy City of Lord Bhagwan Shankar Mahakal, Ujjain was titled Ujjayini which was later named as Ujjain.

Archaeological Landscape

Another source that confirms the ancient character of The Holy City of Lord Bhagwan Shankar Mahakal, Ujjain is the coinage. During excavations carried out near the

Bhartrihari Caves, a kunda yielded coins dating to the pre-Mauryan period. Punch-marked and cast coins are found here dating from the 3rd century BC to the 1st century AD.

Other Religious Places in Ujjain

The central island of Rudrasagar

Vikrant Bhairav

Navagraha Temple of Saturn

Shri Gaby Hanuman Temple

Shri Ram Temple

Shri Yogmaya Temple

Maharajwada

Shri Anant Narayan Temple

Ranjeet Hanuman Temple

Satyanarayan Temple

Jagdish Temple