I used to visit Indore for my official work every time I visit I used to thought I should explore M.P.This time I got opportunity to explore Madhya Pradesh along with my official work.I started my journey to Indore by Avantika Express on Monday from Mumbai Central @ 7.05 pm and reached Indore @ 9.00 am and started searching for railway retiring room. On platform no 1 at inquiry counter I got one ac double room for 450.00 Rs and 24 hr check out for two days only and for second day need to extend it. Keep your ID card photocopy ready with you.
After freshen up at room I reached to my work place and finish my work till lunch (coz I decided to visit Ujjain).My friend dropped me Sarvate bus stand near indore railway staion. Madhya Pradesh having very minimum government owned transport facility majorly its ruled by privet but operator. Buses are in good condition and fare is very economical. All part of Madhya Pradesh is well connected with bus services with very economical fare. Only problem in this kind of bus services is they take lots of stop to occupy seats because of this avg speed comes to 30-35KM/hr in small connections and 45-50KM/hr in long connections. Road condition is very good at least all connecting to tourist places.
I got bus at 1.30 pm for Ujjain from Sarvate bus stand which reached Ujjain at 3.00pm fare 30 Rs. Indore to ujjai 55 km.For Ujjain city sightseeing nagar nigam having bus services one tour in morning9.00am and one in afternoon 1.30pm.
I hired auto for 300 Rs for city tour which include
Entrance @ Ujjain
1)Sandipani Ashram
The fact that ancient Ujjain apart from its political and religious importance, enjoyed the reputation of being a great seat of learning as early as the Mahabharata period is borne out by the fact that, Lord Krishna and Sudama received regular instruction in the ashram of Guru Sandipani. The area near the ashram is known as Ankapata, popularly believed to have been the place used by Lord Krishna for washing his writing tablet. The numerals 1 to 100 found on a stone are believed to have been engraved by Guru Sandipani.
The Gomti Kunda referred to in the Puranas was the source of water supply to the ashram in the olden days. An image of Nandi, belonging to the Shunga period, is to be found near the tank. The followers of Vallabha sect regard this place as the 73rd seat of the 84 seats of Vallabhacharya where he delivered his discourses throughout India
The Gomti Kunda referred to in the Puranas was the source of water supply to the ashram in the olden days. An image of Nandi, belonging to the Shunga period, is to be found near the tank. The followers of Vallabha sect regard this place as the 73rd seat of the 84 seats of Vallabhacharya where he delivered his discourses throughout India
2) Mangalnath Mandir (Temple of Mars)
Regarded as the birthplace of Mars according to the Skanda Purana, Mangalanath commands a panoramic view of the shipra. Mahadev is worshipped at the temple here.
3) Sidhawat Mandir
The enormous banyan tree on the banks of the Shipra has been vested with great sanctity.
4) Kaliadah Mahal
Situated on the banks of the Shipra, the island-like site immediately conjures up the natural beauty of ancient Ujjain which poets down the ages have waxed lyrical. The glorious landscape of the flowing river on both sides of the palace and the man-made tanks and channels, with water gurgling through them, provide a spectacular backdrop to the imposing building.
The central dome of the palace is a beautiful example of Persian architecture. Two Persian inscriptions found in one of the long corridors of the palace record the visits of Emperor Akbar and Jehangir to this palace.
The palace was broken down in the time of the Pindaris and was restored by Madhav Rao Scindia in 1920 to its present glory. The Sun Temple was also restored by the family.
The central dome of the palace is a beautiful example of Persian architecture. Two Persian inscriptions found in one of the long corridors of the palace record the visits of Emperor Akbar and Jehangir to this palace.
The palace was broken down in the time of the Pindaris and was restored by Madhav Rao Scindia in 1920 to its present glory. The Sun Temple was also restored by the family.
5) Surya Mandir
6) Kalbhairav Mandir
The worship of Kal Bhairava is carried out here and the temple was noteworthy for its exquisite painting in the Malwa style, traces of which still remain. Close by is the village of Bhairogarh, famous for its ancient technique in cloth printing
7) Bhruthari Caves
These caves are situated just above the bank of the Shipra near the temple of Gadkalika. According to popular tradition, this is the spot where Bhartrihari, who is said to have been the step brother of Vikramaditya, lived and meditated after renouncing worldly life. He is believed to have been a great scholar and poet. His famous works, Shringarshatak, Vairagyashatak, and Nitishatak, are known for the exquisite use of the Sanskrit meter.
8) Gadkalika Mandir
The deity in this temple is believed to have worshipped by Kalidasa. Renovated in 7 AD by the Emperor Harshavardhana, it was restored yet again in the Parmar and, in modern times, by the erstwhile Gwalior State.
9) Ram Ghat
10) Vikramaditya Mandir
Established on the occasion of the second millennium of the Vikram era, as the cultural centre to perpetuate the memory of Vikramaditya, the Vikram Kirti Mandir houses the Scindia Oriental Research Institute, an archaeological museum, an art gallery and an auditorium. The Scindia Oriental Research Institute has an invaluable collection of 18,000 manuscripts on various subjects and runs a reference library of important oriental publications. Rare manuscripts in Prakrit, Arabic, Persian and other Indian languages cover a wide range of subjects from Vedic literature and philosophy to dance and music. Palm leaf and bark leaf (Bhurja Patra) manuscripts are also preserved in this institute. Apart from an illustrated manuscript of Shrimad Bhagavata in which actual gold and silver have been employed for the paintings, the Institute has a rich collection of old paintings in the Rajput and Mughal style. The museum also exhibits a rich array of images, inscriptions, copper plates and fossils discovered in the narmada valley.A huge skull of a primitive elephant is of special interest
11) Harsidhi Mandir
An important shrine with the image of Goddess Annapurna
12) Bade Ganeshjika Mandir
There is a sculptured image of Lord Ganesh in this temple, close to the tank near Mahakaleshwar.
13) Mahakaleshwar Mandir.
This temple of Lord Shiva with its lingam is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. It is also knows as the the shrine of Mahakaleshwara. The temple has an idol of Omkareshwars shiva, Ganesh, Parvati, Kartikeya and Shiva's Bull - Nandi.
Auto driver took stop at Madhya Pradesh Handicraft Shop for shopping. He insisted to buy toast from bakery shop according to him its best in world. I bought 1kg of toast its really good which was my breakfast while stay in Madhya Pradesh .
