Ujjain Simhastha 2028 · Ghats and temples
Mangalnath Temple, Ujjain
Mangalnath is a Shiva temple on the bank of the Shipra, about 5 km from Ujjain city, held by tradition to be the birthplace of Mars (Mangal). The Ujjain district says the Matsya Purana describes it as the place of origin of the planet.
Devotees come on Tuesdays, the day of Mangal, and many come to have pujas performed that are linked with Mars in astrology. 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 the temple has not announced its arrangements for 2028.
Mangalnath Temple at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where | On the bank of the Shipra, about 5 km from the city, reached by a winding road (Ujjain district). MP Tourism places it on a hill on Mangalnath Marg. |
| Deity | Shiva, worshipped as Mangalnath; devotees worship the Mangal Linga (Ujjain district) |
| Tradition | The birthplace of Mars, according to the Matsya Purana (Ujjain district); the temple’s website cites the Skanda and Matsya Puranas |
| Pujas people perform | Bhat puja, and the Mangal dosh puja linked with Mars in astrology (news reports) |
| Temple hours | Open daily from early morning to late evening, with pujas generally between 7 AM and 3 PM, as given by MP Tourism in July 2026 (read 16 October 2026). Check locally. |
| Busiest times | Tuesdays, when the district says a special worship draws thousands of devotees; also Bhaum Pradosh and Angarak Chaturthi (news reports) |
| Simhastha 2028 | Monday 27 March to Saturday 27 May 2028 (expected). Bathing days not announced. |
| 2028 arrangements | Not announced |
The Mangalnath tradition
According to the Matsya Purana, Mangalnath is the birthplace of Mars, the Ujjain district says. MP Tourism retells the Purana’s account that Mangal is the son of Prithvi, the Earth, and a legend that he emerged from a drop of Shiva’s sweat during a great battle. For this reason Shiva is the presiding deity here.
Patrika, retelling the Avantika Khand of the Skanda Purana in 2021, names the battle as Shiva’s fight with the demon Andhakasura: a drop of Shiva’s sweat split the earth at Ujjain, and Mars was born there.
The district adds that in ancient times the site was known for a clear view of the planet, and so was suited to astronomical study.
Worship and pujas at Mangalnath
These are rituals people choose to perform. This guide describes them; it makes no claim about what they achieve.
- Tuesdays: a special worship is held every Tuesday, attended by thousands of devotees who worship the Mangal Linga, the Ujjain district says. MP Tourism calls Tuesday, the day dedicated to Mangal, especially auspicious here.
- Bhat puja: the Free Press Journal called bhat pujan the puja for which the temple is known. On a Bhaum Pradosh day in 2014, a Tuesday, it reported more than 500 devotees performing it after taking government receipts from the pujan counter at the temple.
- Mangal dosh puja: Mangal dosh is an idea in astrology about where Mars sits in a horoscope. Devotees from across India come to Mangalnath to have a Mangal dosh puja performed, Patrika reported in 2021. MP Tourism says people come for rituals and prayers associated with Mars.
- Angarak Chaturthi: special worship with yajna and havan is held on this day, Patrika reported.
- Angareshwar: the Free Press Journal mentions an Angareshwar temple behind Mangalnath, which devotees also visit.
Ask at the temple how pujas are booked now, and pay only at the temple’s own counter. Do not pay anyone who offers a puja package through a message or a call, and read how to check a booking.
Getting there
The district says the temple stands away from the bustle of the city, reached by a winding road, and looks over a wide stretch of the Shipra. It puts Mangalnath about 5 km from the city. Official sources do not give a distance from Ram Ghat, the main Simhastha ghat.
The Sandipani Ashram is at the foot of Mangalnath Road, the district says, and MP Tourism places it close to both Mangalnath and the Kal Bhairav Temple.
Mangalnath and the Simhastha 2028
- 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.
- Mangalnath is a temple for darshan. The Ujjain district says the Simhastha’s shahi snan takes place at Ram Ghat; see the Ujjain ghats guide.
- Not announced: darshan and puja arrangements at Mangalnath during the Simhastha, and road and parking plans for the temple.
- For Ujjain’s main temple, see Mahakaleshwar Temple and the Simhastha.
Also in this area
Questions people ask
Why is Mangalnath called the birthplace of Mars?
Because of a tradition from the Puranas. The Ujjain district says the Matsya Purana describes Mangalnath as the place of origin of Mars, and the Mahakaleshwar temple’s website also cites the Skanda Purana.
Why do people have a Mangal dosh puja done at Mangalnath?
Mangal dosh is an astrological idea about where Mars sits in a horoscope, and Mangalnath is held to be the birthplace of Mars. Patrika reported in 2021 that devotees come from across India to have the puja performed. It is a ritual of faith; this guide makes no claim about its effects.
Which day is special at Mangalnath?
Tuesday, the day of Mangal. The Ujjain district says a special worship is held every Tuesday and is attended by thousands of devotees.
Is Mangalnath a Simhastha bathing ghat?
No. It is a temple for darshan on the bank of the Shipra. The Simhastha’s shahi snan takes place at Ram Ghat, the Ujjain district says, and the 2028 bathing days are not announced.