Bhartrihari caves/ भर्तृहरि गुफा, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.

The visit to the Bhartrihari Caves, at Ujjain, in Madhya Pradesh, was a part of “Magnificent Madhya Pradesh Yatra - Bhopal / Indore / Mandu / Maheswar / Ujjain”, from Nov 23 to Nov 29, 2025, organised by Mantra Yathra. Thanks to Mr Balaji Davey and his team of Mantra Yatra (website), for the excellent arrangement and personal care.

This ancient Hindu Bhartrihari Cave complex is on the banks of the Kshipra River. This 11th-century cave complex consists of three caves named after the famous sage “Bhartrihari Caves”. The caves are not on the hill, but on a little elevated mount above the ground level. This is one of the place in Ujjain, where tourists visits after the darshan of Shree Mahakaleshwar.   

LEGEND
As per the legend, Bhartrihari, the stepbrother of Vikramaditya and a very renowned poet, used to live and meditate for 12 years after relinquishing all the luxuries of life. Born as a king, Bhartrihari renounced his affluent lifestyle and adopted the garb of an ascetic due to his disturbing relationship with his wife. The heartbreak led him to give up all his palatial dreams and become a spiritualist.

ARCHITECTURE
A 3-tier Rajagopuram is at the entrance of the caves, built in South Indian architecture. The three caves have narrow entrances, which are difficult to access. The ceilings of the caves are supported by exquisitely carved stone pillars and have multiple rooms that house idols or images of Hindu deities, Shiva, Hanuman, Durga, rishi Bhartrihari, his Guru Gorakhnath Ji, Mahadeva's trident, and holy ash called Dhuni, Durga, Maha Kali, Shiva Linga, Munis & Yogis, Shri Matsandranath Yogi, Raja Yoga Pichand Maharaj, Shri Neelakandeshwar Mahadev, etc.

As per the historians, the present cave is the remains of a double-storied monastery of the Parmar period (10th Century CE).  This place was a famous centre for the Nath, Bhairavi, and Kapalika cult (Shiva holds a Katvanga) of worship during the 10^th – 14^th century. The sculptures and the temple components are remains of the monastery.

  

OBSERVATIONS
1. It is observed that the pillars that support the ceilings are not an integral part of the cave. Some of the pillars may belong to the 10^th to 14^th centuries.
2. Old temple components and some sculptures are fixed on the wall of the caves, both inside and outside.
3. The walls of some of the caves are built with stones.
4. The Rajagopuram was constructed in recent years.

Hence, it is presumed that the cave was reconstructed during recent years, and before that, a temple might have existed on the same spot, or the temple components might have been brought from elsewhere.

HOW TO REACH
The Bhartrihari Caves are at Bharthari Giya, a part of Ujjain, about 4.1 km from Ujjain Railway junction, 4.6 km from Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain, 70.5 km from Indore, and 209 km from Bhopal.
The nearest Railway Station / Junction is Ujjain.

LOCATION OF THE CAVES: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---