Ram Ghat is the oldest bathing ghat on the Shipra and the main site of the Simhastha Kumbh's royal bath. On an ordinary evening it is far quieter than that suggests — families on the steps, boats on the water, priests setting out lamps.
The Maha Aarti
As the light goes, the evening aarti begins. Rows of oil lamps are lit along the water's edge, conches sound, and the chanting carries across the river. It lasts around twenty minutes and costs nothing.
Come twenty minutes early if you want a seat on the steps facing the water. Photographs are allowed, and the reflections on the Shipra after dark are the best pictures you will take in Ujjain.
Once every twelve years
These same steps host the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, when millions of sadhus and pilgrims arrive for the Shahi Snan — one of the largest gatherings of human beings anywhere on earth. The next is due in 2028, and accommodation books out a year ahead.
- Best timeSunrise & the evening aarti
- Don't missShipra Maha Aarti
- LocationOld city, on the Shipra
- ActivitiesHoly dip & boating
Tip — Reach 20 minutes before sunset for the best spot on the steps.
Frequently asked
What time is the Ram Ghat aarti?
At sunset — the exact time shifts with the season, roughly 6:00–7:00 PM. Arrive twenty minutes early for a seat on the steps.
