Where to Stay

Every kind of stay for Simhastha, what you can book today, and how to avoid fake bookings.

Ram Ghat and the Shipra river in Ujjain
Arian Zwegers, CC BY 2.0

Before you pay anyone: The official tent-city portal isn't open yet. "Guaranteed" tent bookings sold today aren't official.

Book direct

Hotels

In Ujjain and Indore. Rooms near the ghats and Mahakal fill first on Shahi Snan dates.

Ujjain, Indore

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Call to reserve

Dharamshalas & ashrams

Simple, affordable rooms run by trusts and community bodies, often near the temples. The Mahakaleshwar temple trust also lists Atithi Niwas rooms on its website.

Old city

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Not open yet

Tent cities

The administration is planning tent cities next to the mela zones. Official booking has not opened yet.

Mela zones

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Not announced

Kalpvas camps

Stay a month on the riverbank with an Akhara or ashram, living simply.

Shipra banks

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Which area should you stay in?

Near the ghats

Walking distance to Ram Ghat and Mahakal.

Walk to the river before dawn

Most expensive; roads close on snan days

Outer Ujjain

Newer parts of the city, a shuttle ride from the mela.

Better value, easier by car

Shuttle queues at peak times

Indore

The big city 55 km away, with the airport and most hotels.

Most choice, close to flights

A long daily trip on busy days

Booking safely

Scams peak before big melas. Run these checks before you pay.

  1. Book only through official portals or the property's own phone number.
  2. Never pay the full amount to an agent over WhatsApp.
  3. Check the address on a map; "near the ghat" can mean many kilometres.
  4. Ask for a written receipt with the property's registration details.
  5. If a price looks too good for a Shahi Snan date, it probably is.

Tell us what kind of stay you need

Tell us your dates and group size. We reply on WhatsApp or email, usually within a day.

  • Stays near the ghats, dharamshalas and group bookings
  • Day-by-day plans for families and seniors
  • Alerts when official dates change