Simhastha 2016 Kumbh Mela Dates, Bath timings, Pooja Schedule, Temples, Ghats, Places To Visit
Simhastha (Kumbh) Mela, scheduled to be held in Ujjain next year. Simhastha-2016 will take place from April 22 to May 21 in this ancient religious city after a gap of 12 years.The Kumbh Mela is a unique part of culture and heritage. Kumbh Mela festival is religiously most important for the Hindus. At every Kumbh occasion, millions of Hindus take part in the celebrations. Irrespective of all worldly barriers of caste, creed, region, the Kumbha Mela has wielded a mesmeric influence over the minds and the imagination of the ordinary Indian.
Kumbh Mela is not just a mere festivity like Diwali and Holi, but holds lot of importance for people in India. People look up to Kumbh Mela with highest regard, as this event gives them a golden opportunity to liberate themselves from the miseries and sufferings of life.A small place takes the shape of mini India.
There is no scientific method of ascertaining the number of pilgrims, and the estimates of the number of pilgrims bathing on the most auspicious day may vary; approximately 100 million people attended the last Maha Kumbha mela.
Main Bathing Dates for Ujjain Kumbh Mela- Mahakumbh 2016 Schedule and Important Dates
22 April 2016 (Friday) Purnima Sahi Snaan (Royal Holy Dip)03 May 2016 (Tuesday) Vratparv Vauthini Keadashi
06 May 2016 (Friday) Vaishakh Krishna Amavasya
09 May 2016 (Monday) Shukla/Akshey Tritya (Second Snan)
11 May 2016 (Wednesday) Shukla Panchami
15 May 2016 (Sunday) Vrishabh Sankranti
17 May 2016 (Saturday) Ekadashi & Pradosh Snan
19 May 2016 (Thursday) Pradosh
20 May 2016 (Friday) Nursingh Jayanti
21 May 2016 (Saturday) Purnima
Previous Ujjain Kumbh Mela Fair was in 2004
The entire period of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela was spanned from April 05 to May 05, 2004.
Major Temples at Ujjain- Ujjain Temples
- Mahakaleshwar Temple
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is situated below ground level(Garbhagriha) in the main temple. The idol of Mahakaleshwar is known to be dakshinamurti, facing the south. This is a unique feature upheld by tantric traditions to be found only in Mahakaleshwar among the 12 Jyotirlingas. Due to these considerations, worship of Shri Mahakal with vedic mantras proves fruitful for the devotee.
- Harsiddhi
The Harsiddhi temple is one of the 52 Shakti Peeths situated all over India.There is a small shrine just outside the temple dedicated to Mahamaya. This shrine is situated a little below ground level and is approachable by steps, but is closed to visitors.
- Gadkalika
It is located on the suburban of Ujjain, Gadkalika Temple is devoted to Goddess Kalika. This pretty shrine holds an astonishing legend which states that, Kalidasa, the great poet had obtained his actual skills by his genuine devotion to this deity. Gadkalika temple is the temple where Kalidasa got his boon from Maa. The Maa with her beautiful eyes is a joy to behold.
- Kal Bhairav
The Shaivites worship eight Bhairavas and the Kal Bhairava is the most important. It is thought that the temple of Kal Bhairava has been erected by the King Bhadrasen.
- Chintaman Ganesh Temple
he temple is built across the Shipra on the Fatehabad railway line. The Ganesh idol enshrined here is supposed to be swayambhu - born of itself. The temple itself is believed to be of considerable antiquity. Riddhi and Siddhi, the consorts of Ganesha, are seated on either side of Ganesha.
- ISKCON
The International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), popularly known as the Hare Krishna Movement, was founded in 1966 by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. ISKCON is a worldwide association of devotees of Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; its members consist of 10,000 temple devotees and 250,000 congregational devotees.
- Siddhavat
Siddhavata at Ujjain is well known for its sanctity as Akshayavata of Prayag, Vamshivata of Vrindawan and Panchavata of Nasik. Post funeral rites are performed here at the Siddhavata ghat of holy Shipra. Skanda-purana has referred to this place as preta-shilla-tirth. According to some opinion Parvati performed her penances here. This has also been a place of worship for the followers of Nath sect.
- Mangalnath
Mangalnath temple is located on the bank of river Shipra. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Mangalnath Temple is a greatly respected holy place situated in Ujjain. According to the Matsya Purana it is known as the birth place of Mars. Far away from the flurry of the city life, Mangalnath Temple is placed on a serene surroundings and it overlooks the vast stretch of water in the majestic Shipra River.
- Gopal mandir
Gopal temple at Ujjain is dedicated to Lord Krishna in blue form. It is also known as Dwarikadhish Temple. Lord Krishna is the lover of milkmaids, the celestial herdsman and the great incarnation of Preserver of the Universe-God Vishnu. Gopal temple was constructed by Bayajibai Shinde, the queen of Maharajah Daulat Rao Shinde, in the 19th century.
- Bade Ganesh
This temple situated 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
Bathing Ghats
Bathing Ghats on the auspicious occasion of Kumbh Mela are the major attractions bringing together all the Hindus from the country. During the Kumbh Mela lakhs of devotees swarm the bathing ghats. Here Ram Ghat and Narsingha Ghat in Ujjain are the oldest and sacred bathing ghats. Apart from its religious significance, bathing ghats in Ujjain are the fascinating places for a leisurely walk.- Ram Ghat
Along the banks of River Kshipra, many bathing ghats are located. The Shri Ram Ghat, also known as Ram Ghat is the most ancient bathing ghat and is very popularly visited during the Kumbh Mela. It is located near the Harsiddhi Temple.
- Triveni Ghat
The temple of Navagraha, the nine planets, on the Triveni ghat of Shipra is a prominent centre of attraction for the pilgrims. There is a confluence of Khan river near Triveni ghat on the Shipra.
- Gau Ghat
Bathing Ghats on the auspicious occasion of Simhasth Maha Kumbh are the major attractions bringing together all the Hindus from the country. During the Simhasth Maha Kumbh lakhs of devotees swarm the bathing ghats.
- Mangalnath Ghat
These three ghats are located near the bridge of the auspicious Mangalnath Temple, on the right and left banks of holy River Kshipra. These ghats were developed by the Water Resource Department for the purpose of the devotees who come for Simhasth Maha Kumbh or the Holy Bath.
- Siddhwat Ghat
Siddhwat ghat is situated near Siddhawat Temple, on the left bank of River Kshipra. A road, next to the Sidhawat Temple, leads to this Ghat.
- Kabir Ghat
Kabir ghat is situated on the left bank of River Kshipra, which is located on the right side of the Ujjain Barnagar road. One can reach the ghat from a lane, which extends on the left side of roads on the Ujjain Barnagar Road.
- Rinmukteshwar Ghat
This Ghat is situated near Rin Mukteshwar Temple. You will find an ancient statue of Lord Shiva's main host "Virbhadra" and old tree under which Rin Mukteshwar’s Lord Shiva lingam and ancient Ganesh idol are established.
- Bhukimata Ghat
This ghat is situated on the left side of River Kshipra, near the famous Bhukimata Temple. A road extending from the left side of a big bridge on the Ujjain Chintaman Road leads to this Ghat.
- Datt Akhada Ghat
This ghat is situated on the left bank of River Kshipra, connecting Ujjain Barnagar Road.
- Chintaman Ghat
This ghat is situated on the left bank of River Kshipra, which flows under the Lalpul Railway Bridge located near a big bridge on the Ujjain Chintaman Road.
- Prashanti Dham Ghat
This Ghat is situated in the atrium of Prashanti Dham Temple & towards the right coast of Kshipra river. The way to reach this Ghat is 1.5 KM Away from Ujjain-Indore Route by the right side of the temple.
- Sunheri Ghat
This ghat is situated on the right bank of River Kshipra, which lies towards the right side of a small lane on Ujjain Badnagar Road.
- Narsingh Ghat
This ghat is situated on the banks of River Kshipra, on the left side of which lies the famous Kark Raj Temple opposite Bhukimata Temple. The specialty of this temple is that it is located on the Tropic of Cancer passing through Ujjain.
Ujjain Places To See- Places To Visit In Ujjain
- Mahakaleshwar:
The Mahakaleshwar temple at Ujjain is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlings of lord Shiva spread over the country. The shivling in this temple is believed to be the only one facing towards the South due to which it is also called Dakshinmukhi (having face towards south). The Mahakaleshwar temple is also a Shaktipeeth of Goddess Sati, according to legends the upper lips of the Goddess fell here when Lord Shiva was carrying her dead body to Kailash which makes this temple holier.
- Radha Madan Mohan Temple:
The temple has been established by the ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness). This beautifully constructed temple is a major draw of the city and is a major landmark in the Hare Rama Hare Krishna movement.
- Kal Bhairava:
Bhairava is the fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva and is associated with annihilation. The most interesting aspect of this temple is the fact that the devotees offer Liquor bottles to the lord and are also given liquor as the Prasad. Kal Bhairav temple at Ujjain is the most important of all the Bhairav temples as among the eight Bhairavs worshipped by the Kapalika and Aghora sects of Hinduism. Bottels of Liqour is available 24*7 in front of the temple.
- Bade Ganesh ji Ka Mandir:
Bade Ganesh ji Ki Mandir in Ujjain is situated near the tank of the Mahakaleshwar Temple which houses a massive statue of the elephant-headed God of Wisdom and Prosperity, Lord Ganesha. The Bade Ganesha Ji Temple of Ujjain is an Institute for teaching astrology and Sanskrit. There also a idol of Lord Januman at the temple which has five faces and is the only idol of Hanuman that is Panchmukhi (five faced).
- Bhartrihari Caves:
Brahitari was the step brother of the great king Vikramaditya. He was a literary genius and wrote many of his Sanskrit classics like Shringarshataka, Vairagyashataka and Nitishataka in these caves. These caves lie on the banks of Shipra River near the Gadakali temple.
- Kalidasa Academy:
The Kalidas academy was set up by the state government in the memory of the great poet and Kallidas. The academy is one of the prime institutions for study of Sanskrit language and ancient traditional performing arts. The academy consist of a theater, museum, library, lecture and seminar halls, research facilities for scholars and a large open air theater.
Apart from the above attractions you can also visit the following places which are worth a visit: Sandalwala Building, Vikram university, The Vedha shala (The observatory), Navagraha Mandir (Triveni), Gopal Mandir, Mangalnath and the Sandipani Ashram
Important: The mela authorities have also launched a special Simhasth Mobile App having a host of facilities. It will act as a guide for the large number of devotees visiting the fair. Geographical Information System (GIS) technology will be extensively used in mapping the mela area.The GIS-enabled system will identify available parking slots, have information on traffic plan, traditional procession roads, location of ATM counters among other facilities.
