Ujjain Itinerary: The Perfect 1-Day and 2-Day Trip Plan

Most of Ujjain's famous temples sit within a 5 to 8 km radius of Mahakaleshwar, but they are spread across the old city, the river front and the outskirts. The plans below group nearby places together so you spend your time in darshan, not in traffic. They work best with your own two-wheeler, which lets you park right at the temple gates.

Ujjain in 1 day

Morning: Mahakal and the old city

• 6:00 AM, Mahakaleshwar temple. Go early for a shorter queue. If you have a Bhasma Aarti pass, you will already be inside from about 2 AM. See our Mahakal darshan guide.
• 8:30 AM, Mahakal Lok. Walk through the corridor right next to the temple.
• 9:30 AM, breakfast. Poha and jalebi from any stall near the temple is the classic Ujjain breakfast.
• 10:00 AM, Harsiddhi Mata temple and Bade Ganesh ka Mandir. Both are a short walk from Mahakal.

Midday: the temples to the north

• 11:00 AM, Kal Bhairav temple. Famous for its unusual offering to the deity. About a 20 minute ride from Mahakal.
• 12:15 PM, Gadkalika temple and Bhartrihari caves. Both are on the way back from Kal Bhairav.
• 1:30 PM, lunch and rest. Avoid the midday sun, especially in summer.

Afternoon and evening

• 3:30 PM, Sandipani Ashram. Where Lord Krishna is said to have studied. Mangalnath temple is a short ride further on.
• 4:30 PM, Mangalnath temple. Known for Mangal dosh puja, on a hill above the Shipra.
• 6:00 PM, Ram Ghat. End the day with the evening Shipra aarti on the ghats.

Ujjain in 2 days

Day 1: Mahakal, old city and the river

• Bhasma Aarti or early morning darshan at Mahakaleshwar
• Mahakal Lok, Harsiddhi Mata temple and Bade Ganesh ka Mandir
• Afternoon rest, then the Vedh Shala (Jantar Mantar observatory)
• Evening aarti and a walk along Ram Ghat

Day 2: the outer temples

• Morning at Chintaman Ganesh temple, south of the city across the Shipra
• Kal Bhairav temple, Gadkalika temple and Bhartrihari caves
• Siddhavat ghat, Sandipani Ashram and Mangalnath temple in the afternoon
• Evening shopping and street food in the Freeganj market

Have a third day? Add Omkareshwar

Omkareshwar, another of the twelve Jyotirlingas, is about 140 km from Ujjain. Most visitors do it as a day trip by car. If you are travelling as a family, a car with a driver is more comfortable than a scooter for this drive.

Tips for your Ujjain trip

• Start early. Temples are calmer and cooler before 9 AM.
• Carry a small bag you can leave in a locker. Phones and bags are generally not allowed inside Mahakal.
• Avoid Mondays and festival days at Mahakal if you want a quick darshan.
• Keep some small change for parking, prasad and shoe stands.
• Check our getting around Ujjain guide for auto fares and distances.