Ujjain Omkareshwar Maheshwar
" Divine Jyotirlinga Trail"

The ancient city of Ujjain lies on the banks of river Kshipra. Historically Ujjain was the most prominent city of central India. It remained as an important political, commercial, cultural and literary centre of central India. Considered as one of the holiest cities in India, and is a popular pilgrimage centre. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is the city's most visited temple, Kal Bhairav temple, where liquor is offered to the city's guardian deity is a must visit place. Shree Krishna's Guru Sandipani Ashram, Chintaman Ganesh temple, Ved Shala and Gopal Mandir, built by Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur are considered among the city's tourist hotspots. The most important ghat is Ram Ghat where every evening a spectacular ritual, Sandhya Aarti, is held. Priests gather at sundown to worship the sacred river with flowers, incense, sandalwood and vermillion.

During the rare celestial time of the Simhastha, millions of pilgrims arrive at the banks of Kshipra to take the holy dip, united by the traditions and beliefs of the Indian culture. These ghats of Kshipra are the constant centers of bathing, giving alms and libations. The many ghats of Kshipra attract pilgrims, photographers, poets and uncountable locals. During Simhastha, these people become witness to one of the biggest festivals of faith, when millions of people converge to take a dip in the holy waters of Kshipra.

Grand Simhastha, on the Ghats of the glorious Kshipra

The Ujjain Kumbh is celebrated when Jupiter ascends into sun sign Leo's quarter or the Simha constellation of zodiac, which is why it is called 'Simhastha'. The Simhastha is special in Ujjain as it is the seat of divine Mahakal - the Lord of all times. The ritual of bathing in the holy waters of Kshipra begins on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April) and continues on various dates until the full moon shows up in the following month of Vaishakha.

Sadhus of various sects from across the country assemble in Ujjain and mingle with ordinary people as they take their ritual dip in the holy waters of the Kshipra.

Maheshwar - Riverside Fort Town

It was the capital of the Malwa during the Maratha Holkar. The peaceful, riverside town of Maheshwar has long held spiritual significance and still draws hermits and travelers (pilgrims) to its ancient ghats and temples on the holy Narmada River. The town enjoyed a golden age in the late 18th century under Holkar queen Devi Ahilya Bai, who built the palace in the towering fort and many other monuments. Away from the ghats and historic buildings, Maheshwar’s colourful streets display brightly painted wooden houses with overhanging balconies. It carries the charm of traditional central Indian village life.

It's Legend

Maheshwar is built on the site of the ancient city of Somvanshya Shastrarjun Kshatriya, and was the capital of king Kartavirya Arjuna, (Shree Shastrarjun) who is mentioned in the Sanskrit epics Mahabharata and Ramayana. Maheshwar was known as Mahissati (Mahishamati in Sanskrit) in ancient times and was the capital of Southern Avanti. Maheshwar on the banks of the Narmada was capital of King Sahasrarjun. One day the King and his 500 wives went to the river for a picnic. When the wives wanted a vast play area, the King stopped the mighty river Narmada with his 1000 arms. While they were all enjoying themselves, Ravana flew by in his Pushpak Vimana. Downstream, when he saw the dry river bed, he thought it was an ideal place to pray to Lord Shiva. He made a shivalinga out of sand and began to pray. When Sahasrajuna’s wives were done and they stepped out of the river bed, he let the waters flow. The voluminous river flowed down sweeping Ravana’s shivalinga along, messing up his prayers. Furious, Ravana tracked Sahasrajuna and challenged him. Armed to the hilt the mighty Ravana was in for a huge surprise. The mighty Sahasrarjuna with the 1000 arms pinned Ravana to the ground. Then he placed 10 lamps on his heads and one on his hand. After tying up Ravana, Sahasrarjuna dragged him home and tied him up to the cradle pole of his son. A humiliated Ravana stayed prisoner until his release was secured.

It is said that there are more than 100 temples are telling the long history of Maheshwar. Must visit temples around Maheshwar are Sahastar Arjun Temple near the holy river Narmada, Rajrajeshwar Mandir, Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, Chaturbhuj Narayan Mandir, Ahilya Mata's Chhatris, Chintamani Ganpati Mandir, Pandharinath Mandir, Bhawani Mata Mandir, Gobar Ganesh Mandir, Banke Bihari, Anant Narayan Mandir, Khedapati Hanuman, Ram and Krishna Mandir. Baneshwar temple, Kaleshwar, Jwaleshwar and Narsingh Mandir.

Maheshwar has been a center of hand loom weaving since the 5th century. Maheshwar is the home of one of India's finest hand loom fabric traditions. The origin of Maheshwari saris is traced to the establishment of Rehwa Society, an NGO founded by the Holkars. These cotton saris are weaved with distinctive designs involving stripes, checks and floral borders. The hand looms also make fabric material used for making kurtas and other clothings.

Omkareshwar

It can only be termed as a blessing by the lords and mother nature, that Omkareshwar, the sacred island, is shaped like Om. It is adorned with lofty hills, between which the river Narmada forms a serene pool. The Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga shrine tops the list. Popularly known as 'Omkar Mandhata', it is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines in India.Pilgrims in unimaginable numbers visit the shrine every year, seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva.

Apart from the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga temple the three storey Gauri Somnath Temple which is built in the shape of a peahen is also a place to see. Joining the list are Mahakaleshwar temple, Ashapuri temple, Siddhanath temple, Khedapati Hanuman temple, Rinmukteshwar temple, Mamleshwar temple, Kashi Vishwanath temple and Kedareshwar temple.

Also worth visiting in the holy town are Govindeshwar Caves where Adi Shankaracharya is said to have received enlightenment and the other one is Gurudwara Omkareshwar Sahib where Guru Nanak stayed during his visit to the city.

Trip to Omkareshwar can be concluded by watching Narmada meeting Kaveri at the sangam.

The colourful ghats, rippling Narmada and divinity that reside in this town gives you many reasons to visit Omkareshwar once.