Ujjain Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela in Ujjain 2016

Dates of Kumbh Mela, Ujjain 2016
22 April - 21 May 2016

About Ujjain

'Ujjain' means the 'city of victory' (earlier known as Ujjayini) and is located on the western boundary of Madhya Pradesh, Ujjain is 55 km from Indore. It is situated on the banks of Shipra River.

Historical and Mythological Importance of Ujjain
Ujjain is one of the holiest cities in India. According to Indian astrology, zero degrees begins in Ujjain. According to the Mahabharata's Aranya-parva, Ujjain is one of the seven sacred moksa-puris or sapta-puris. The others are Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Kashi (Varanasi), Kanchipuram, and Dwarka. It is said that Siva killed the demon Tripura at Ujjain.

The indomitable spirit of Ujjain is best exemplified by the legend of an ancient banyan tree named Siddhwat. The tree is believed to possess extraordinary spiritual vibrations and holy men meditate under it while others worship it. According to the legend, a ruler once had the tree cut down and covered the mutilated stump with seven iron plates, so as to show his authority. By the next morning, the tree had burst through the iron plates and come back to its original size. The tree is still alive and the object of redoubled veneration.

Pilgrim at Kumbh Mela (Ujjain)

The Simhastha Kumbh Mela, would take place at Ujjain after a gap of 12 long years. It is believed that the holy dip washes away all the sins and the cycle of rebirth and death ends as the soul becomes divine.

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.

The Auspicious Bathing Dates in 2004 were:
Monday, 05th April 2004 : Purnima
Monday, 19th April 2004 : Krishna Amavasya
Thursday, 22nd April 2004 : Shukla Tritiya
Saturday, 24th April 2004 : Shukla Panchmi
Tuesday, 04th May 2004 : Shahi Snan - Purnima

Climate in Ujjain

Ujjain experiences a warm sub-tropical climate, typical of the interior Indian subcontinent. Summer starts in late March with temperatures rising to 45°C at its peak in May. In addition, hot winds (called loo) may blow in the afternoons, adding to the discomfort. The monsoon arrives in the middle of June and continues till early October. About 870mm (35 inches) of precipitation is received during those months.

The rest of October generally is very warm and with high humidity. Winter starts in the middle of November and is pleasant and cool with daytime temperatures typically 20°C, though temperatures can drop significantly in the night.

Summers in Ujjain
The summer season in Ujjain generally lasts from April to June. During this period, the summer spell is experienced in the form of harsh climate. The heat is scorching and the temperature may reach unbearable heights. The maximum temperature during these months may soar to 48oC. occasionally, hot winds called 'Loo' may blow during the afternoon, which aggravates the heat. The summer temperature reaches a minimum of about 24oC during the night.

Winter in Ujjain
Winters in Ujjain lasts for four months i.e. November, December, January and February. Though cool, winters are very temperate and pleasant. The maximum daytime temperature generally remains around 24oC and the heat is mild and solacing. Nights are comparatively chillier and the mercury level may drop to a minimum of 9oC. Generally, light woolens are preferable during the day, but heavy woolens become essential during night.

Monsoon in Ujjain
The monsoon season is initiated during the month of June and lasts till the end of September. During this time, the place experiences moderate to heavy rainfall and the average rainfall is recorded at 101 cm. The humidity level slowly mounts and often heavy outpourings are followed by periods of high humidity and bright sunshine. Typical of any other place in Madhya Pradesh, the best time to visit Ujjain is between the months of october and March.