indore to ujjain, omkareshwar, pashupatinath

ujjain simhasth 2016
The city of lord Mahakal, Ujjain, is known by several names in Vedas and Puranas. The word Avanti has repeatedly surfaced in the verses of Vedas. Another name Ujjayini has emerged in the sutra Striyamwanti Kurubhyashcha of great scholar Panini. The city was named after King Kartavirya Arjun s son Avanti which was later called as Avantika, Avantipuri, Avanti Nagri or Avantikapuri. The city was even called as Vishala due to its large area and Padmavati due to its grand places and prosperity.

In ancient times, the city had several names including Padmavati, Swarnashringa, Kushashthali, Avantika, Amravati and Churamani. It was also called Kanakshringa due to the golden designs on its structures. It was named as Kumudvati because flowers were found in abundance here. The city was called as Pratikalpa as it was ruined and settled frequently.

According to the Brahmapuran, Ujjayini was described as one of the most significant city of the world. Equipped with all kinds of joys, it was called as Bhogavati while the city was also known as Hiranyavati due to the prosperity.

The city was called as Vikrampuri as it was the capital of king Vikramaditya, the founder of Vikram Samvat calendar while it was named Mahakalpuri or Shivpuri as world s famous Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is situated here. The city has been named as Avanti in the epics like Vedas, Valmiki Ramayan and Mahabharat. The most popular name Ujjayini is still in use with a slight modification as Ujjain.

The city was prosperous due to its richness of gardens. In Prakrit language, garden is called Ujjain and thus the city was titled Ujjayini which was later named as Ujjain.