Ujjain Simhastha 2028 · Ghats and temples
Sandipani Ashram, Ujjain
Sandipani Ashram is where, according to tradition, Krishna, his brother Balarama and his friend Sudama studied under Guru Sandipani. The Ujjain district places it at the foot of Mangalnath Road; MP Tourism puts it on the bank of the Shipra, about 6 km from Ujjain Junction.
It is a place of darshan, not a Simhastha bathing ghat. The Simhastha is planned for 27 March to 27 May 2028. No bathing date has been announced, and arrangements at the ashram for 2028 are not announced.
Sandipani Ashram at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where | At the foot of Mangalnath Road (Ujjain district); on the bank of the Shipra, about 6 km from Ujjain Junction (MP Tourism) |
| What it is | The ashram of Guru Sandipani, where by tradition Krishna, Balarama and Sudama studied |
| What you see | Guru Sandipani’s shrine, Ankpat, a stone with the numbers 1 to 100, the Gomti Kund and the Sarveshwar Mahadev temple |
| Opening hours | 9 AM to 7 PM daily, as given by MP Tourism in October 2024 (read 16 October 2026). Check locally. |
| Busiest times | Janmashtami, and Guru Purnima, when families come for the Vidyarambh Sanskar (MP Tourism) |
| Simhastha 2028 | Monday 27 March to Saturday 27 May 2028 (expected). Bathing days not announced. |
| 2028 arrangements | Not announced |
The Sandipani tradition
Ujjain was a centre of learning at the beginning of the Mahabharata period, the Ujjain district says, and by tradition Krishna and Sudama were educated at the ashram of Guru Sandipani. The Mahakaleshwar temple’s website says Krishna, Balarama and Sudama studied here, which gives the city a special place in Vaishnava tradition.
MP Tourism retells a legend that Krishna mastered 64 skills in 64 days here, and says this is where he met his lifelong friend Sudama.
Followers of the Vallabh sect regard the ashram as the 73rd of the 84 seats (baithaks) of Vallabhacharya, where he gave his discourses, the district says.
What you see at the ashram
- Guru Sandipani’s shrine: with idols of Krishna, Balarama and Sudama (MP Tourism).
- Ankpat: the area near the ashram, believed to be where Krishna washed his writing (Ujjain district).
- The numbers stone: a stone with the numbers 1 to 100, believed to have been engraved by Guru Sandipani (Ujjain district).
- Gomti Kund: a tank mentioned in the Puranas that supplied the ashram with water in old times, the district says. By legend, MP Tourism says, Krishna called the waters of all the holy rivers into it for his guru’s rituals. An image of Nandi near the tank dates from the Shunga period (Ujjain district).
- Sarveshwar Mahadev: a temple with a Shivalinga bearing a natural form of Sheshnaag, believed to have been worshipped by Guru Sandipani and his disciples (MP Tourism).
- Nearby: Vishnusagar and the Rama-Janardana temple lie west of Ankpat, behind the ashram (Ujjain district).
Festivals and the Vidyarambh Sanskar
Families bring children here for the Vidyarambh Sanskar, the ceremony that marks the start of learning, especially on Guru Purnima, MP Tourism says. Devotees also celebrate Janmashtami at the ashram with great enthusiasm.
Official sources do not give a festival calendar for the ashram, so check locally before you plan a visit for a festival day.
Getting there and the Simhastha 2028
The district places the ashram at the foot of Mangalnath Road, and MP Tourism says it is close to both the Mangalnath and Kal Bhairav temples. Official sources do not give a distance from Ram Ghat, the main Simhastha ghat; MP Tourism gives about 6 km from Ujjain Junction.
- Dates: the Simhastha is planned for Monday 27 March to Saturday 27 May 2028 (expected). No bathing date has been announced. See what is announced about the dates.
- Not announced: opening hours, entry and parking at the ashram during the Simhastha.
- The Simhastha baths are at Ram Ghat and the ghats the mela administration opens; see the Ujjain ghats guide. For Ujjain’s main temple, see Mahakaleshwar Temple and the Simhastha.
Also in this area
Questions people ask
Did Krishna study at Sandipani Ashram?
According to tradition, yes. The Ujjain district and the Mahakaleshwar temple’s website both say Krishna studied here under Guru Sandipani with Sudama, and the temple’s website adds Balarama.
What are the Sandipani Ashram timings?
An MP Tourism article of October 2024 gives 9 AM to 7 PM daily. Hours can change, and nothing is announced for the Simhastha, so check locally.
Where is Sandipani Ashram in Ujjain?
At the foot of Mangalnath Road, the Ujjain district says. MP Tourism puts it on the bank of the Shipra about 6 km from Ujjain Junction, close to the Mangalnath and Kal Bhairav temples.