The festival of Mahashivratri in Ujjain is not just a celebration, but it feels like the city stops belonging to time and begins spinning around devotion, prayers, and a variety of food, almost like any fair. As lakhs of devotees come over for darshan at Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, the experience inherently goes just beyond temple walls. It goes into the streets filled with ghee, roasting spices, and slow-boiling milk for hours. After hours of chanting, worshipping, and walking through the mahakal corridor, what people look for is not luxury but comfort, something warm, light, and also rooted in the nativity. That is where the street food here becomes part of the pilgrimage itself.
These dishes are simple, easy, energising, and deeply connected in tradition, shaped by generations who knew exactly what a tired devotee or a tourist alike would want. Eating here is less about indulgence and more about comforting yourself. If you are visiting Ujjain this Mahashivratri, trying these local foods is a must for a soulful trip to remember.
Poha-Jalebi
Talk of Madhya Pradesh and Poha Jalebi comes first to mind. After attending the lively bhasma aarti, which starts at 4 am, and standing in the long temple queues, head straight to Tower Chowk for a traditional breakfast that Ujjain swears by - a steaming plate of poha garnished with sev, coriander, lemon, paired with hot, syrup-soaked jalebis. The contrast of light, savoury poha and the sweetness of jalebi feels extremely comforting at the first bite itself. Poha is generally cooked in big iron kadhais, and the fragrance of hing and curry leaves fills the air, making it compelling. It is a quick, comforting breakfast that can revive you from all the tiredness fueling you for the city hopping.
Location: Tower Chowk, 1.5 km from the temple
Price For Two: Rs 80– Rs 120
(Image credit: Freepik)
Khasta Kachori And Sabzi
This old bazaar lane is always lively, serving khasta kachoris since early morning that crack open to reveal spicy urad dal filling. These kachoris are dipped in a thin, tangy aloo-tamatar sabzi, which is much lighter than found elsewhere. The flavours of both kachori and sabzi perfectly complement each other and are ideal to have after the Mahashivratri pooja. What makes this place special is the heritage location, i.e., narrow lanes, temple bells ringing, and recipes that are unchanged for generations.
Location: Gopal Mandir, walking distance from the Mahakal corridor
Price For Two: Rs 100- Rs 150
Sabudana Khichdi
During Mahashivratri, shops at Kartik Chowk offer a variety of vrat-friendly food options. One of the favourites among all is the sabudana khichdi, which is soft, non-greasy, and is filled with peanuts, mild green chilli, and a squeeze of lemon from the top. Unlike the versions, this one is prepared with no heavy masalas, adhering to the fasting rules. At many shops, you can also find farali patties and sweet potato chaat (shakarkandi ki chaat), falahari namkeen, etc aligning with the Shivratri fasting rules.
Location: Kartik Chowk, old city, Ujjain
Price For Two: Rs 120- Rs 180
(Image credit: Freepik)
Rabri, Lassi And Thandai
After spending hours in the temple rush, if you are looking for something cooling and calming, head straight to Freeganj. Thick malai rabri, served in kulhads, and saffron-infused thandai will instantly cool you down after long walks and that tiredness from the fast. The beverages are lightly sweet, filled with dry fruits, and feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is a slower, more peaceful food stop where you can sit, talk, and restore energy before moving ahead to the next place.
Location: Freeganj Square, 2 km from Mahakal Temple
Price For Two: Rs 150–Rs 220
Garadu And Masala Milk
As Mahashivratri is celebrated all through the night, the lane outside the temple changes into a lively food lane. A local winter speciality, garadu or fried yams, is tossed in lime, masala, and coriander. It is crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside. It is paired with hot masala milk that is enhanced with nutmeg and saffron. This is not just about snacking, but it also keeps you full and full of energy for all night prayers.
Location: Outside the Mahakal Temple main approach
Price For Two: Rs 100- Rs 160
(Image credit: Freepik)