Situated on the banks of the Shipra, regarded since time immemorial as sacred, Ujjain is a cultural splendour in Madhya Pradesh.The ancient name of Ujjain was Ujjayini. According to legends, the Shiva of Avanti solemnized his victory over the demon-ruler of Tripura and changed the name of his capital, Avantipura to Ujjayini The meaning of Ujjaini is one who conquers with pride.

History of Ujjain
During the time of Buddha, Ujjaini was the capital of Avanti Kingdom. It was also the residence of Emperor Ashoka. The city was ruled by the Sungas and the Satavahanas in the Post- Mauryan period. After the end of the Satavahana dynasty, the city was retained by the Sakas from the 2nd to the 4th century CE. The Sakas were later conquered by the Guptas.

Ujain was the traditional capital of King Chandragupta II(Vikramaditya). During the 6th and 7th centuries, Ujjain was a major mathematical and astronomical research centre where Brahmaputra, Varahamihira and Bhaskaracharya were worked.

In 1235 Iltutmish invaded Ujjain. Later Akbar made it the capital of Malwa. During the last half of 18th century Ujjain was the headquarters of Sindhias (the Maraths leader) who established themselves at Gwalior later. Till independence Ujjain was a part of Gwalior state. Gwalior state became the princely state of the British Raj after its defeat in the Third Anglo-Maratha War. After 1947, Ujjain became a part of the Madhya Bharat state and in 1956, Madhya Bharat merged into the Madhya Pradesh state.

Geography of Ujjain
Ujjain is located on the banks of river Shipra. According to Hindu Mythology, Shirpa has originated from the churning of the Oceans by the Gods and the Demons, with Vasuki, the serpent as the rope. The river is sacred for the Hindus.

The city of Ujjain is situated in a unique geographical region from which the tropic of cancer passes. It is the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) of India for Panchang.

Places of interest in Ujjain
Ujjain can compare to Benaras, Gaya and Kanchi, which has an innumerable number of temples.

The important places of interest are Bade Ganeshji Ka Mandir, Chintaman Ganesh, Pir Matsyendranath, Bhartrihari Caves, Kaliadeh Palace, Durgadas Ki Chhatri, Harsiddhi Temple, Siddhavat, Kal Bhairava, Sandipani Ashram, Gadkalika, Mangalnath, Gopal Mandir, Navagraha Mandir (Triveni), Mahakaleshwar Temple, The Vedha Shala (Observatory), Vikram Kirti Mandir, Vikram University, Kalidasa Accademy.

Another places of interest are Ram Janardhan Temple, Ram Ghat, Harihara Teertha, Mallikarjuna Teertha, Ganga Ghat, Bohron Ka Roja, Begum Ka Maqbara, Bina Neev Ki Masjid, Maulana Rumi Ka Maqbara, and Digambara Jain Museum.