Ujjain or Omkareshwar?

gianni66

Hi all. I have to plan a very short itinerary in just eight days for next february, and after Haridwar and Orchha I have to choose between Ujjain and Omkareshwar, having two days to spend and trying to avoid to jump in a rush from one place to another.
I have read a lot about these two places, and I am really confused!

I will arrive from Delhi with the overnight train, and on my way back I will stop two days in Orchha; the options are:

- arrive at Ujjain at 9:45 of day 1, spend two nights in Ujjain, depart from Ujjain at 14:12 of day 3 arriving at Jhansi at 21:47;

- arrive at Indore at 11:40 of day 1, take the bus to Omkareshwar and arrive in the afternoon, spend two nights in Omkareshwar, depart in the morning of day 3 by bus to Indore, train from Indore at 12:25 arriving at Jhansi at 21:47.

Of course the first option is much easier because the trip stops in Ujjain two hours before Indore and cuts the bus to Omkareshwar (I don't know how long is the journey from Indore to Omkareshwar). So the question is: is Omkareshwar much more preferrable to Ujjain to justify the longer trip? Or is Ujjain interesting as well?

I am very attracted by genuine Indian spiritual life, temples, etc.

Thanks for the help! Gianni

cyberhippie

I haven't been to both but I can give you some photos to peruse Gianni!! Ohmkareshwar

R.T.

I haven't been to both either, but I can tell you that Omkareshwar has a very distinct feel to it. I'd recommend it.

Jorge Reverter

Last year I've spent three weeks in the area. My advice is: Go to Mandu and Maheswar. Omkareshwar is quite small and you can make a short visit on your way back to Indore.

Mandu is one of the most interesting places in India. I have written an article and you can read it in the "community" section here in IM.

Maheshwar is also a very interesting place with a great life in the ghats. On the other hand Ujjain is a bigger city and also worth a visit but as I always prefer small cities..., probably is in the Khumb Mela the moment to go there.

In my photo gallery as well as in my son´s gallery" jorge jr" you can see a lot of pictures taken in all this places.

Jorge

cyberhippie

I would second that great recommedation from Jorge!!! However I'm curious about Ujain as well. I looked at photos of Nasik, another Kumbh town and it looked and sounded like a worthwhile excursion. perhaps Ujain may have the same feel!

So who's been, is Ujain only about the clock tower????


Maheshwar Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

gianni66

OK boys... you've been very persuasive...

Mandu, Maheshwar, Omkareshwar, is it right?

cyberhippie

May the force be with you my friend!!
Amazing places!
Trivia : the Palace on the Narmada River in Maheshwar is the one used in the film "Ashoka" with SRK!!

cyberhippie

By the way if you transit through Indore the Guru Kripik near the bus stand does heavenly Punjabi food, don't be put of by the "posh" look, the dishes are authentic and as cheap as chips!! Had this seconded by an Indian from Indore, so you won't go far wrong!!

R.T.

That's exactly what we did this year, albeit in the opposite order.

Enjoy!

Jorge Reverter

Cyberhippie,

Last year I've been in Ujjain for three days. I liked very much the pilgrim's ambiance in the ghats and specially around Gopal Mandir and the busy bazaars.

Btw, the food in the bazaars in Ujjain is really good.

The Clock's Tower..., I was in Hotel Shippra not far from there but the life was far away, few rupees by tempo.

Jorge

gianni66

So, based on your suggestions and indications (which is a way to say that you guys will be guilty if something will go wrong... ), this is the plan that I have set for my eight days in Madhya Pradesh (15th to 23rd February):

- day 1: arrive at Delhi at 10:10 in the morning; overnight train to Ujjain at 22:15;
- day 2: arrive at Ujjain at 9:45; night in Ujjain
- day 3: Ujjain 11:25 - Indore 12:50; Indore - Mandu by bus; night in Mandu;
- day 4: visit Mandu; Mandu - Maheshwar by bus; night in Maheshwar;
- day 5: visit Maheshwar; Maheshwar - Omkareshwar by bus; night in Omkareshwar;
- day 6: visit Omkareshwar; Omkareshwar - Khandwa by bus; overnight train to Jhansi at 22:45;
- day 7: arrive at Jhansi at 6:52; night in Orchha;
- day 8: overnight train Jhansi - Delhi at 23:37;
- day 9: arrive at Delhi at 5:56, flight back to Rome at 15:10

Any comment or suggestion (especially about the bus transfers)?

Thanks! Gianni