Ujjaini Vikram Vyapar Mela (Kartik Mela)
Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh · fair
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry Fee₹0
Each autumn, as the Kartik moon waxes over the Shipra, Ujjain rolls out one of Malwa's oldest civic gatherings — the Kartik Mela, in recent decades organised by the district administration and municipal corporation under the banner of the Vikram Vyapar Mela, a nod to the city's legendary King Vikramaditya. It is worth being clear at the outset that this is not the Simhastha Kumbh, the great twelve-yearly bathing festival for which Ujjain is world-famous. The Kartik Mela is an annual, secular trade-cum-culture fair that unfolds every year around Kartik Purnima (roughly October–November), traditionally spilling on toward the spring month of Vaishakh, and it belongs to the ordinary rhythm of the city rather than to the once-in-a-generation spectacle of the Kumbh.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Pure-veg Malwa thali houses along Mahakal Marg, a short ride east of the fairground
- ✦Morning poha-jalebi and sabudana-khichdi stalls near Ramghat
- ✦Sweet shops selling Ujjaini malpua, mawa-bati and shrikhand near Gopal Mandir
- ✦Plain, bhang-free thandai and lassi counters near the ghats (ask specifically for the intoxicant-free version)
About
Each autumn, as the Kartik moon waxes over the Shipra, Ujjain rolls out one of Malwa's oldest civic gatherings — the Kartik Mela, in recent decades organised by the district administration and municipal corporation under the banner of the Vikram Vyapar Mela, a nod to the city's legendary King Vikramaditya.
- It is worth being clear at the outset that this is not the Simhastha Kumbh, the great twelve-yearly bathing festival for which Ujjain is world-famous.
- The Kartik Mela is an annual, secular trade-cum-culture fair that unfolds every year around Kartik Purnima (roughly October–November), traditionally spilling on toward the spring month of Vaishakh, and it belongs to the ordinary rhythm of the city rather than to the once-in-a-generation spectacle of the Kumbh.
- Spread across the open fairground near the Shipra ghats, the mela is part rural marketplace, part carnival, part cultural stage.
- Farmers and traders from across the Malwa plateau bring bullock-cart tackle, brass and steel utensils, handloom cloth, lac bangles, wooden toys, terracotta and cane work; a livestock and agricultural section has long been part of its character.
- Alongside the commerce runs an amusement quarter of giant wheels, swings and food stalls that draws families every evening, while a cultural pandal hosts folk dance, Malwi and Nirguni singing, and programmes tied to Ujjain's Vikram Utsav.
- For a traveller, the appeal is atmospheric: the crush of lantern-lit stalls, the smell of frying jalebi, the drums of a folk troupe, and the river slipping past temple spires just beyond the fence.
- Go in the cooler evening hours, keep valuables close in the crowd, and treat the neighbouring Ramghat and Mahakaleshwar precincts as a natural extension of the walk.
- For food, stay firmly vegetarian and steer clear of any bhang or intoxicant counters — ask only for plain, bhang-free thandai and lassi.
- The fair's own stalls fry hot jalebi, samosa, poha, sabudana khichdi and Malwa sweets, while pure-veg thali houses line Mahakal Marg a short ride east.
- Near Gopal Mandir and Ramghat, sweet shops sell Ujjaini malpua, mawa-bati and shrikhand, and the classic morning poha-jalebi is never far away.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Kartik Mela Ground, Shipra riverbank near Ramghat, Ujjain, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, 456006
How to Reach: The fairground sits on the Shipra riverbank near Ramghat in Ujjain's old-city core, about 1.5 km from the Mahakaleshwar temple. Ujjain Junction railway station is roughly 3 km away; autos, e-rickshaws and taxis reach the ghats easily. Indore (about 55 km) is the nearest airport. During the fair, expect traffic diversions near the ghats, so park a little away and walk in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kartik Mela the same as the Simhastha Kumbh?
No. The Simhastha Kumbh is a massive spiritual bathing festival held once every twelve years. The Kartik Mela (organised in recent years as the Vikram Vyapar Mela) is a separate annual trade-and-culture fair held every autumn on the Shipra riverbank.
When is the fair held and how long does it run?
It is timed to the Hindu month of Kartik, roughly October–November around Kartik Purnima, and traditionally continues for several weeks. Dates shift each year with the lunar calendar, so check the current schedule with the Ujjain district administration or municipal corporation before planning.
What can I see and do at the fair?
Expect rural trade stalls (utensils, handlooms, wooden toys, lac bangles), an agricultural and livestock section, folk music and dance on a cultural stage, amusement rides for children, and rows of food stalls. Evenings are the best time to soak up the atmosphere.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near the Kartik Mela?
The mela's own stalls serve pure-veg jalebi, samosa, poha and Malwa sweets. For a sit-down meal, pure-veg thali restaurants line Mahakal Marg a short ride east, and sweet shops near Gopal Mandir and Ramghat sell Ujjaini malpua, mawa-bati and shrikhand. Choose only plain, bhang-free thandai or lassi.
Is there an entry fee?
Entering the fairground is generally free; individual rides, games and purchases are paid separately. As it is a large open-air crowd, keep your belongings secure and watch children closely.