The
city of Ujjain is considered as divine land with some of the most
revered temples in the vicinity. The Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple is home
to one of the 12 jyotirlings, ranked higher than Kedarnath and Kashi in
spiritual significance. Other popular tourist sites include the
Harsiddhi Temple, Chintaman Ganesh Temple, ISKCON Temple, Jantar Mantar
and the Bhartrihari Caves.
Sadhus or Akharas of various sects from across the country are expected to reach Ujjain and mingle
with pilgrims as they take their ritual dip in the holy waters of the
Kshipra. During the holy bath at the Kumbha Mela, the main bathing site
is surrounded by these akharas, who first take the holy dip in the
sacred river, following which devotees and visitors are allowed to go
ahead with Shahi snan. They spend the rest of their time at the Kumbh
Mela in activities include religious discussions, devotional singing and
offering meals to holy men and women and the poor. The sadhus are seen
clad in saffron sheets with Vibhuti ashes dabbed on their skin and
tilaks that let people identify his sect. The tilak represents a form of
self-control in today’s world where man indulges in worthless thoughts.
This year Ujjain will open its doors to visitors from across the nation and the world and the Kumbh Mela returns to the city, after 12 years.
The Simhastha Kumbh Mela as it is popularly known is celebrated when
the Jupiter ascends into the zodiac sign Leo’s quarter or the ‘Simha’
constellation of the zodiac. Ujjain is also the seat of the divine Mahakal or Lord Shiva who is the Lord of all times. This year the Simhastha Kumbh Mahaparv
will begin on April 22 and will continue for 40 days until May 21,
2016. The city is preparing itself to welcome five crore visitors,
looking to take a dip in the banks of river kshipra.
Kumbh
Mela is held in rotation on the river banks of the four holiest places,
as believed by the Hindus: the confluence (Sangam) of the Ganges and the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati at Allahabad, the Ganges (Ganga) at Haridwar, the Godavari at Nasik and the Kshipra at Ujjain.
About Ujjain city:
Ujjain is an ancient city in the central state of Madhya Pradesh and lies on the eastern bank of the
sacred Kshipra River. The city being one of the seven Hindu sacred
cities (Sapta Puri) hosts the Kumbh Mela every twelve years. According
to mythology, Lord Krishna had along with Sudama and Balarama received
his education from Maharshi Sandipani here. The River Kshipra in Ujjain
has become the enhancer of life and the grand Simhastha held here is an
unrivalled celebration of the country.
The city of Ujjain is abound with
temples, rich in history and tradition. While most of them have been
built upon sites of antiquity, they don’t stand in their original
splendor but have been renovated or rebuilt over the years. Yet, the
temples form an integral part of the city and its appeal beckons
visitors from all over the world.
As the city prepares itself for the
influx of pilgrims and tourists, a massive refurbishment and renovation
work is underway at most hotels and resorts. Special arrangements will
be made for smooth movement of traffic, though much of the areas
surrounding the ghats will be cordoned off and vehicle entry will be
restricted. The government plans to introduce 3000 e-rickshaws to help
pilgrims get around the city.
Many infrastructural developments have
also been initiated for the event. For instance, the drinking water
supply of around 33 MGD will be made available for the pilgrims with
extremely well planned water distribution system, an electricity
distribution of around 82 MVA is being arranged. For the security of the
visitors, a disaster management team including police personnel, home
guards, swimming trainers, motorboat provisions and local volunteers
will be on duty near the ghats. There will also be a massive arrangement
of street lighting in the city. The city has also set up camps, dharamshalas and motels for the accommodation of pilgrims. Along with these camp accommodations, hygienic toilets will also be available in the area.
The Bathing Ghats:
Elaborate arrangements have been made by the Water Resources Department at the ghats.
There will be suitable arrangements for bathing for 18 hours from 4am
to 10pm, for one crore devotees at every Holy Bath. One of the main
responsibilities of the department is to ensure water levels of 1.20
Routes of devotees’ to and fro movement
at various ghats have also been identified. A public awareness campaign
would be undertaken for maintenance of sanitation at ghats,
implementation of Khan river diversion and keeping Kshipra river
pollution-free through barricading of ghats.
The main bathing dates for Ujjain Kumbh Mela 2016 are:
April 22, 2016 (Friday) – Purnima First Sahi Snaan
May 3, 2016 (Tuesday) – Vratparv Vauthini Ekadashi
May 6, 2016 (Friday) – Vaishakh Krishna Amavasya (First pramukh snan)
May 9, 2016 (Monday) – Shukla/Akshey Tritya (Second pramukh Snan)
May 11, 2016 (Wednesday) – Shukla Panchami
May 15, 2016 (Sunday) – Vrishabh Sankranti
May 17, 2016 (Saturday) – Ekadashi & Pradosh Snan
May 19, 2016 (Thursday) – Pradosh
May 20, 2016 (Friday) – Nursingh Jayanti
May 21, 2016 (Saturday) – Purnima Main Shahi Snan
Local rituals:
The Nagas (sanyasis of Shiavite cult)
and their shahi snan in Kshipra, is an important attraction of
Simhastha. It is an unusual sight to witness the shahi snan when the
Nagas show up in nothing but their weaponry, to take bath in the holy
river.
How to reach Ujjain:
Ujjain has its own railway station that
connects the city to all major cities of India. The nearest airport is
the Indore Airport which is about 55kms from the city and the Bhopal
airport is 172kms from Ujjain. The city is well connected to other
cities through bus. Ujjain is connected to New Delhi via train and bus
which will take around 12 hours and also through flights till Indore.
Places to see in Ujjain:
Unified by the traditions and beliefs of
the Indian culture, millions of visitors arrive at the banks of Kshipra
to take the holy dip for salvations. It is truly a spectacular sight
that brings together the diversity of the country to the ghats of the
Kshipra river, that also become a center of bathing, giving alms and
libations.
Come and be part of this amazing festival of faith!
