Ujjain District is situated on the banks of the river
Shipra. It has an area of 6,091 sq km and a population of 1 million. Ujjain is the modern name of Ujjayini, which was originally called Avantika. King Shiva of
Avanti, commemorating his triumph over the demon king of
Tripuri, changed it to Ujjayini (one who proudly conquers). The names of
Kalidasa and Ujjayini are closely linked in the Indian tradition.
Ujjain is one of the famous pilgrimage centers in India. It ranks equal to Varanasi, Gaya and Kanchi as a great religious center. Saivism, Vaishnavism, Jainism and
Buddhism, are prevalent.
The famous tourist destinations are Mahakaleshwara Temple,
Harsiddhi Temple and Bhartrihari Caves. The main festivals are the triennial Kumbh mela and Mahashivratri. There are also various archeological museums.
The ancient style of dying cloth called Bandhani, block printing and
batik are significant handicraft items of the district. The best time to visit is from September to March.
