The Bhartrihari caves are a complex in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India. Along with temples, they are considered one of the places to visit in Ujjain. King Bhartrihari has a deep connection with Gorakhnath. What do you know? What is so special about Bhartrihari Caves? Baba Gorakhnath King Bhartrihari left his kingdom, took retirement, and spent his life as a yogi. He also performed severe penance in this cave.
Timings of Bhartihari Caves — Opening and Closing Hours:
| Day | Timing |
| Monday | 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM |
The Dark Story Behind The Caves of Bhartrihari:
There are many stories behind Maharaja Bhartrihari of Ujjain’s becoming a saint. According to a legend, a king in Ujjain named Maharaja Gandharvasen. He had two wives. He had a son, Vikramaditya, from one wife and a son, Bhartrihari, from another. After Gandharvasen, Ujjain’s throne went to Bhartrihari because he was an elder. King Bhartrihari had two wives. But he married for the third time, and his wife’s name was Pingla.
It is said that Pingla was very beautiful. Seeing her beauty, he ignored even Bhartrihari Rajput’s activities and kept making every effort to woo his wife. It is said that his wife, Pingla, was in love with Kotwal.
Once upon a time, Guru Gorakhnath came to Ujjain, and Bhartrihari welcomed him very well. Seeing this, Gorakhnath became very happy and gave the king a fruit. Eating this fruit will make one remain young forever. The king gave this fruit to Pingla. But Pingla did not eat the fruit herself; instead, she gave it to her lover Kotwal.
Kotwal Gave Miraculous Fruit To His Other Girlfriend:
The Kotwal was in love with a girl, and he gave her the miraculous fruit so that the girl would always remain young and beautiful. After taking the fruit, the girl thought that if she ate it, she would always remain young and beautiful. But she did not want to always remain young. She thought King Bhartrihari needed this fruit the most so he could always remain young and beautiful and take care of his nation.
This is how King Bhartrihari came to know about his wife Pingla’s extramarital relations:
The girl gave the miraculous fruit to the king. As soon as the king saw that fruit, he was surprised. Then the king asked the girl from where she got this fruit. The girl said that the Kotwal had given her this fruit. Bhartrihari called the Kotwal. Kotwal said that Queen Pingla had given him this fruit. After this, the king came to know about the whole truth. He understood that his third wife, Pingla, was cheating on him. This cheating of his wife raised renunciation in Bhartrihari’s mind, and he handed over his entire kingdom to his younger brother Vikramaditya and came to a cave in Ujjain, and it was here that he performed penance for about 12 years.
Top 10 Accommodations near Bhartrihari Caves:
- The Grand Retreat
- The Cosy Corner
- Serene Haven
- The Heritage Hideaway
- Nature’s Paradise
- The Royal Residence
- The Tranquil Waters
- Happy Holidays Resort
- The Executive Suites
- The Cozy Cottage
How to Reach:
- By Air: The nearest airport to Ujjain is Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport in Indore, approximately 55 kilometres away. You can hire a taxi from the airport or take a bus to Ujjain. After reaching Ujjain, you can take a taxi or local bus to Bhartrihari Caves.
- By Train: You have to take a train from your nearby railway station to Ujjain; from there, you will need to hire a taxi or local bus to reach the caves.
- By Bus: You can take a bus from Ujjain to a nearby location, such as Triveni or Dewas, and then hire a taxi or auto-rickshaw to reach the caves.
FAQ’s:
The address of the Bhartrihari cave is Barnagar Road, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
No, there is no entry fee.
The best time to visit Ujjain is from October to March.
