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Like the Jantar Mantars in Delhi and Jaipur, this one is also built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in 1725. However, unlike the former two observatories, the one at Ujjain is still in use actively. It consists of 13 architectural astronomy instruments. The observatory was constructed with the aim of measuring local time, altitude (of the place) and also to measure declination of the Sun, stars and planets and to determine eclipses. Motion, speed and properties of stars and planets were also recorded using several special instruments. There is a small planetarium and a telescope to observe the Moon, Mars, Jupiter and their natural satellites. The observatory is also used for weather forecasts.
Jantar Mantar or Vedh Shala in New Ujjain is an observatory designed to be used with the naked eye. It is one of five Jantar Mantar in India. It was built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in 1725 when he was governor of Ujjain and consists of 13 architectural astronomy instruments.
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हनुमान नाका मंदिर उज्जैन
This is a 100-year-old south facing Hanuman Naka and Ram Laxman and Sitaji temple in old Ujjain Seema.
Mahakal Temple
One of the main attractions of Ujjain and one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. The Jyotirlingas are said to be the most sacred abodes of Shiva. The temple of Mahakaleshwar, its shikhara soaring into the skies, evokes primordial awe and reverence with its majesty. The Mahakal dominates the life of the city and its people, even in the midst of the busy routine of modern preoccupations, and provides an unbreakable link with past traditions. At the temple, you will be surrounded by hawkers and hard-sellers. Usually, one is not required to wait in the queue to offer prayers at the Jyotirlinga. However, the temple is crowded on weekends, including Mondays, queues can take up to 3 hours and move at a slow pace. Once at the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, which is where the main Jyotirlinga is situated, you are not pushed (like at other temples). You can wait as long as you like to get a good view of the Jyotirlinga.
This temple occupies a special place in the galaxy of ancient sacred spots of Ujjain. Seated between the idols of Mahalaxmi and Mahasaraswati, the idol of Annapurna is painted in dark vermilion colour. The Sri Yantra, the symbol of power or shakti, is also enshrined in the temple. According to the Shiva Purana, when Shiva carried away the burning body of Sati from the sacrificial fire, her elbow dropped at this place. There is an interesting legend in the Skanda Purana about the manner in which the Goddess Chandi acquired the epithet of Harsiddhi. Once when Shiva and Parvati were alone on Mount Kailash, two demons called Chand and Prachand tried to force their way in. Shiva called upon Chandi to destroy them which she did. Pleased, Shiva bestowed upon her the epithet of 'one who vanquishes all'. The temple was reconstructed during the Maratha period and the two pillars adorned with lamps are special features of Maratha art. These lamps, lit during Navaratri, present a glorious spectacle. There is an ancient well on the premises, and an artistic pillar adorns the top of it.
This huge temple is in the middle of the big market square. It was constructed by Bayajibai Shinde, the queen of Maharajah Daulat Rao Shinde in the 19th century. It is a beautiful example of Maratha architecture. The sanctum sanctorum is inlaid with marble and doors are silver plated. The door in the inner sanctum is said to have been carried to Ghazni from the Somnath temple and from thence by Mahmud Shah Abdali to Lahore. Mahadji Scindia recovered it and now it has been installed in this temple.
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.
This temple above the tank near the Mahakaleshwar temple, enshrines a huge artistic sculpture of Ganesh, the son of Shiva. An idol of this size and beauty is rarely to be found. The middle of the temple is adorned by an idol of the pancha-mukhi (five faced) Hanuman. There is provision for learning of Sanskrit and Astrology in the temple.