Chaubis Khamba Temple

Overview

An ancient gateway shrine in Ujjain named after its twenty-four carved stone pillars, guarded by the twin goddesses Mahamaya and Mahalaya.

Darshan timings

Opens

5:30 AM

Closes

7:00 PM

Before you visit

Dress code

Traditional, modest clothing

Prasad

Available

Photography

Allowed

Festivals

• Navratri
• Shukla Paksha Ashtami

History

Chaubis Khamba, literally "twenty-four pillars", is one of Ujjain's oldest surviving structures. Tradition holds that it was once the grand entrance to Mahakal Van, the sacred forest around the Mahakaleshwar temple. The shrine dates to roughly the 9th–10th century and is linked in local lore with the age of King Vikramaditya. The guardian goddesses Mahamaya and Mahalaya, also called Badi Mata and Chhoti Mata, are carved at the doorway and worshipped by devotees as protectors of the city. Navratri, and especially the Ashtami of Shukla Paksha, draws large crowds to the shrine.

Location

Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

Stay nearby

• Shankaracharya Math, Ujjain
• Agralok Dham, Ujjain
• Hotel Avantika Palace, Ujjain

More about this temple

How to reach: Ujjain Junction railway station is about 2 km away, and autos and e-rickshaws run from the station to the temple. The nearest airport is Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore, about 60 km away by taxi or bus. Ujjain is well linked by highway to Indore, Bhopal and Dewas. The shrine is a short walk from the Mahakaleshwar temple. Best time to visit: October to March, when the weather is pleasant for darshan and sightseeing.

Frequently asked questions