The temple of Mahakaleshwara with its soaring shikhara dominates the skyline and life of Ujjain. Here, the god Shiva reigns eternal and the lingam at Mahakaleshwara, one of the 12 jyotirlingas in India, is believed to be swayambhu (born of itself), deriving its shakti or power, from within itself. Yet another unique feature of this majestic shrine is the idol which faces the south, a positioning upheld by tantric traditions and found only in Mahakaleshwara among the 12 jyotirlingas. The idol of Omkareshwara Shiva is consecrated in the sanctum above the Mahakal shrine and the images of Ganesh, Parvati and Kartikeya are in the west, north and east of the sanctum sanctorum. To the south is Shiva's bull steed, Nandi. Every Mahashivratri, in the month of March, fair held near the temple.

Above the tank near the Mahakaleshwar Temple, the large ornate statue of Ganesh here makes this temple a popular pilgrimage spot

According to legends, the caves on the banks of the river Shipra near Gadkalika Temple are where the great scholar poet Bhartrihari lived and meditated. 

The stars and the skies seemed fascinating in the century too. That would perhaps explain the number of observatories that we have in India. Since the 4th century BC, Ujjain has been India's Greenwich (as far as Indian geographers were concerned), with the first meridian of longitude passing through it. Maharaja Jai Singh built one of his quirky observation here between 1725 and 1730 AD. This one is smaller than those in Jaipur or Delhi but it's still in use and quite interesting. Astrologers can purchase the complete year's astronomical ephemeris in both English and Hindi at the observatory for Rs15.

The speciality of this temple is its intricate paintings in the Malwa style.

On an island in the Shipra River, 8km north to town, is the water palace of the Mandu Sultans, constructed in 1458. River water is diverted over stone screens in the palace, and the bridge to the island uses carvings from the sun temple which once stood here. The central dome of palace is  a good example of Persian architecture.

A sanctum inlaid with marble and silver plated doors Constitute the main attraction of this temple.

The ruling planets have always had an important place in the India rituals and tradition. This temple is dedicated to the nine ruling planets (Navagraha means nine planets). It is located on the Triveni Ghat of Shipra river.