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Ever
heard of a city where time ceases
to exist? Ever felt like
experiencing timelessness? Ever
had an urge to be one with the
ultimate consciousness or Param
Chetana?
If
yes, then do visit
Ujjain
.
Ujjain
is not a city –
Ujjain
is an epitome of the Supreme
Consciousness. One of the most
ancient and sacred cities on the
earth planet, it has a tremendous
energy field. The moment you step
into it with a little meditative
mind, you find that you are in an
ocean of vibrations of the energy
that permeates every particle of
the City Eternal.
Once
ruled by legendary emperor
Vikramaditya and hallowed by
sacred memories of rigorous
penance practiced by Bhritihari,
Ujjain
is dotted with temples and
archaeological sites.
Previously
known as Avanti, Kushthali,
Kanashringa, Bhaumivati, Padmavati,
Pratikalpa, Amaravati, Vishala ,
Avantika,
Ujjayani etc, the city is
described in the Adi Purana as the
most sacred city on the earth
planet. According to Skand Purana,
the city has 84 Mahadevas, 64
Yoginis, 8 Bhairavas and 6
Vinayaks.
Ujjain
has
been the seat of learning where
all disciplines of `knowledge
flourished since time immemorial.
Lord Krishna along with his elder
brother, Balram and best friend,
Sudama received early education at
the Ashram of seer Sandeepani.
Eulogized by great poets like Ved
Vyas and Kalidasa the city has
another special significance of
being on the Tropic of Cancer.
Therefore , the meridian line of
Ujjain
became prime meridian of
India
. Emperor Vikramaditya started the
Vikram Samvatsar from this city.
According to Nobel
laureate, Amartya Sen " there
is something very striking about
the consistency of
Ujjain
's dominance in Indian time
accounting". The city was an
important centre of astronomy in
the Gupta period. Renowned
astronomer, Varahmihir had worked
here. In the 18th century Sawai
Maharaja of Jaipur constructed the
famous observatory at
Ujjain
to encourage astronomical studies.
The
city of
Bhagwan Mahakaleshwar
will be hosting the world's
largest religious congregation –
the Simhastha, being held from
April 5, 2004 to May 4, 2004. The
mega event would attract close to
three million devotees, pilgrims
and tourists from every nook and
corner of
India
as well as abroad. Over one
million sadhus, saints,
mendicants, seers and other
spiritual seekers would throng
this holiest of holy cities
during the month-long bathing
festival.
The
Simhastha at
Ujjain
is considered to have special
significance as a rare
configuration of planets takes
place in 12 years. The Kumbha at
Ujjain
is called Simhastha as the Sun is
in the Aries and the Jupiter in
the Leo. This Simhastha at
Ujjain
is more special as for the first
time there would be three Shahi
Snans (Royal Baths) during the
month long fair. Besides, there
would be two Parva Snans.
A
holy dip in the Kshipra, one of
the most sacred rivers in
India
, during the Simhastha is
considered to be a dip into
eternity that absolves the devotee
of all past sins. According to the
Skanda Purana "
The
holy bath of Kumbh equals in Punya
to thsousands Kartik Snans ,
hundred Magh Snans and crores of
Narmada
Snans during Vaishakh month. The
fruits of Kumbha Snan are equal to
the fruits of thousands of
Ashvamedh Yajna, hundreds of
Vajpaiyee Yajna and lakhs of
journeys around the earth.”
In
view of the significance of a holy
dip in the Kshipra, proper
arrangements have been made to
ensure that the devotees take holy
dips in the water of the Kshipra.
Eleven stop dams have been
constructed for storing water
which will be released before each
snan in Kshipra.. The ghats have
been renovated and widened for the
convenience of devotees.
To
make proper arrangements for
comfortably stay and visit of such
a large number of devotees and
sadhu, saints and tourists was a
formidable challenge, so no
efforts were spared to
successfully meet the challenge.
Elaborate
arrangements have been made for
comfortable stay of the pilgrims
during the Mela.
The Mela area spreads over
2152 hectares. It has been divided
into four zones and 10 sectors
where Akharas and devotees would
stay. Water supply would be made
through 74 kms long pipelines.
Four power sub-stations have been
set up for the Mela township.
Besides, new ghats have been
constructed and old ones renovated
on the banks of the Kshipra. A
signage system has been
scientifically designed to
facilitate easy movement of
pilgrims. Pucca toilets have been
constructed for the first time in
the Mela area. Six 10 - bed, six 5
- bed hospitals and eight
dispensaries are being set up to
provide medical assistance to the
people. Proper traffic
arrangements would be made and
there would be an inner ring road
and one outer ring road for easy
traffic.
Sapta
– Sagar, the seven historical
tanks in
Ujjain
are being renovated to restore
their pristine glory. Work is in
progress for development of the
area around. Bhagwan Mahakaleshwar
temple. A provision has been made
for renovation of historical
temples in the city.
Besides,
there would be fool proof security
arrangements. Seven satellite
towns have been made on the
approach roads to
Ujjain
for the convenience of common
people and
to regulate traffic
movement. A massive vaccination
drive would be carried out to
prevent any epidemic.
The
satellite towns will have adequate
arrangements for food, medical
facilities, latrines, toilets,
tele-communication, electricity,
drinking water etc. Moreover,
there would be temporary bus
stands. Each satellite town would
have a sector office, police
station, enquiry office, hospital,
S.T.D./P.C.O., Post offices, cloak
room, electricity office etc.
The
local people and voluntary
organisations are extending full
cooperation in making the
arrangements. For further details
you can visit our sites -
www.Simhastha.nic.in.
and www.mahakumbhaujjain.nic.in.
The
government of Madhya Pradesh is
committed to making your stay as
comfortable as possible during the
month long religious saga. So, do
visit the must - visit ancient
city with family to be part of the
festivities and devotion –
charged ambience permeated with
the Supreme Consciousness. You
will certainly return with the
experience of a life
time.
Snan
Dates
1-
April 5, 2004
(Shahi Snan)
2-
April 19, 2004
(Parva Snan)
3-
April 22, 2004
(Shahi Snan)
4-
April 24, 2004
(Parva Snan)
5-
May 5, 2004
(Shahi Snan)
ABOUT
UJJAIN
Situated
on the western boundary of Madhya
Pradesh,
Ujjain
is 55 kms from
Indore
.
Accesss
Air
: The nearest airport is at
Indore
.
It is connected by air to
Bhopal
, Mumbai,
Delhi
and
Gwalior
.
Rail
:
Ujjain
is an important railway situation
on western railway network and
connected with most of the major
cities in
India
.
Road
:
Ujjain
is within easy driving distance
from
Bhopal
(183 kms),
Indore
(55 kms) and Mandu (158 kms).
D.K.
Malviya
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