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AN
ECSTATIC EXPERIENCE
BEYOND REALM OF TIME
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?
If yes, then do visit Ujjain. It
is not just a city - Ujjain is an
epitome of the Supreme Consciousness.
One of the most ancient and sacred
cities on the planet earth, 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.
Situated on the western boundary
of India's central State of Madhya
Pradesh, Ujjain is well-connected
and is 650 km from Mumbai.
Once ruled by legendary emperor
Vikramaditya and hallowed by sacred
memories of rigorous penance practiced
by Bhritruhari, Ujjain is dotted
with temples and archaeological
sites.
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 Varahamihir
had worked here. In the 18th century
Sawai Maharaja of Jaipur constructed
the famous observatory at Ujjain
to encourage astronomical studies.
The city of Lord Mahakaleshwar hosted
the world's largest religious congregation
- the Simhastha Kumbhmela from April
5 to May 4, 2004. The mega event
attracted around 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 thronged this
holiest of holy cities during the
month long bathing festival. The
next Kumbhmela would be held in
2016.
The 2004 Simhastha at Ujjain was
considered to have special significance
as a rare configuration of planets
took place in 12 years. The Kumbha
at Ujjain was called Simhastha as
the Sun was in the Aries and the
Jupiter in the Leo. This Simhastha
at Ujjain was more special as for
the first time there were three
Shahi Snans (Royal Baths) during
the month long fair. Besides, there
were 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 thousands Kartik Snans, hundred
- Magh Snans and crores of Narmada
Snans during the Vaishakh month.
The fruits of Kumbha Snan are equal
to the fruits of thousands on Ashvamedh
Yajna, hundreds of Vajpaiyee Yajna
and lakhs on journeys around the
earth.
Elaborate arrangements were made
for comfortable stay of the pilgrims
during the Mela. The Mela area spread
over 2152 hectares. It was divided
into four zones and 10 sectors where
Akharas and devotees stayed. Besides,
new ghats were constructed and old
ones renovated on the banks of the
Kshipra.
Sapta - Sagar, the seven historical
tanks in Ujjain were renovated to
restore their pristine glory. A
provision was made for renovation
of historical temples in the city.
Besides, the security arrangements
were foolproof. Seven well developed
satellite towns were built on the
approach roads to Ujjain for the
convenience of common people and
to regulate traffic movement. |
