BHPian srijan439 recently shared this with other enthusiasts: Last year, I fulfilled a dream by purchasing my first car-a Hyundai Venue with manual transmission. I decided to visit two of the most revered Jyotirlings in the last week of December, 2024 in Madhya Pradesh : Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain, known for its divine Bhasma Aarti, and Omkareshwar near Indore. Two of us shared driving duties throughout this unforgettable journey. The Journey Begins: Pune to Ujjain We hit the road at 5 a.m. sharp on a chilly Wednesday morning, taking NH-60 via Chakan, known for its good roads. The drive was refreshing, with occasional stops to stretch our legs and grab some snacks. We had a simple but satisfying lunch near Dhule before crossing into Madhya Pradesh. Driving past scenic highways and plenty of small ghats, we reached Ujjain by 9 p.m., covering approximately 670 km in total. Exhausted but excited for the spiritual experience awaiting us the next day, we checked into our hotel for the night. Exploring Ujjain: A Sacred Experience The next morning, we visited the renowned Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, a temple steeped in spiritual energy and vibrant rituals. Since it was the last week of Decemeber, it was extremely crowded. It took almost 2 hours along with the VIP pass for the darshan. The shivling is huge in size and the garb-griha is beautiful. Haven’t seen anything like this before. We also visited the Kal Bhairav Temple, famous for its unique offerings of alcohol to the deity, and the Mangalnath Temple. In the evening, we drove to Indore, a city that charms visitors with its blend of history, culture, and food. The road connectivity between Ujjain and Indore is very good. Indore: Palaces and Culinary Delights Indore is home to grand palaces, each narrating tales of its regal past. However, the highlight of our visit was exploring the famous 56 Dukaan Street, a food lover’s paradise. The city is extremely clean and deserves to be the cleanest city in India. A Visit to Omkareshwar The following day, we headed to the town of Omkareshwar, which took us 3 hours from Indore. The Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga, situated on the banks of the Narmada River, offered a breathtaking sight. The temple’s location on an island shaped like the sacred ‘Om’ and the tranquil river flowing around it made the entire setting feel heavenly. It took around 4 hours to complete the darshan. The Journey Back The next morning, we began our return journey to Pune in the morning. The drive was long but smooth, taking an entire day to cover the distance. Reflecting on the incredible memories made the fatigue vanish. This road trip was a wonderful experience. We covered around 1600 kms in a span of 5 days. Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.
