“The famous Sanskrit poet Kalidasa described the traditional city of Ujjain as “the city that fell from heaven to bring heaven to earth”. This ancient city, located in the heart of Madhya Pradesh, is a labyrinth of bustling lanes that weave between clusters of temples, earning Ujjain the nickname “City of Temples.” One of the seven sacred sites of Hinduism, Ujjain lies on the banks of the sacred Kshipra (Shipra) River, which is the site of the world’s largest spiritual congregation, the Kumbh Mela, which takes place every 12 years.

During the Simhast Kumbh, the city is resplendent like a bride, which attracts many devotees from all over the world to ask for a bath in the Kshipra River, with the belief that this could absolve them of their sins. Hindus also believe that it will help them attain moksha or liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
As this city has been under the patronage of several rulers, its rich heritage and vibrant arts and crafts are diverse and unique. One can find traditionally printed textiles like batik, bagh, Bhairavgarh printing, and screen. The city of Ujjain often dates back to 600 BC when it was home to many temples. It had been under the powerful Mauryan empire and the emperor Ashoka had even ruled this region. It is said that when Ashoka was sent to Ujjain by his father Bindusara to quell an uprising, he was wounded and treated by Buddhist monks, marking the king’s first encounter with Buddhism, a faith to which he later turned.