Ujjain to Dewas Chamunda Temple: Distance & Trip

Ujjain to Dewas Chamunda temple is about 38-40 km by road, roughly 45 minutes by car. The temple sits on Dewas Tekri, a hill in central Dewas about a five-minute walk from the bus stand and railway station. You reach the top by 300+ steps or the ropeway, and a round trip fits comfortably in half a day.

Dewas Tekri is home to two goddesses, Chamunda Mata and Tulja Bhavani, and it is a natural add-on to a Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga trip in Ujjain. This guide covers the full journey from your Ujjain hotel to the hilltop and back: distance, cab vs bus vs train, the climb, a time budget and how to book a car.

Ujjain to Dewas Chamunda Temple: Distance and Drive Time

Plan for about 38-40 km each way and around 45 minutes of driving in normal traffic. Published figures sit close together; small differences come from where each source measures to.

What the different sources say (38-40 km)

• Rome2rio lists Ujjain to Dewas as 38.6 km and about 43 minutes by car or taxi (accessed October 2026).
• Cleartrip gives 38.43 km and about 42 minutes by car.
• Outlook Traveller describes Dewas as about 40 km southeast of Ujjain and 32 km northeast of Indore.

Because Dewas Tekri is in the middle of town, close to the bus stand, the distance to the hill base is effectively the same as the distance to Dewas itself. Add a few minutes for city traffic.

Road route out of Ujjain

Dewas lies on the Malwa plateau, southeast of Ujjain and northeast of Indore. Wikipedia lists MP SH-18 as the state highway connecting Dewas with Ujjain, Bhopal and Ahmedabad, so the drive is a simple run on one main road. Your driver will take you directly to the parking area near the foot of the Tekri, which is the main advantage of a cab over public transport on this route.

Cab, Bus or Train: Which Works Best from Ujjain?

All three work; the choice depends on group size, how much walking you want and your temple plans in Ujjain.

By cab (door to the hill base)

A cab is the simplest choice for families, elderly travellers and anyone combining Dewas with temples in Ujjain on the same day. A Maruti Dzire seats four, and a Maruti Ertiga seats six, which suits most families. The driver can wait while you climb and do the darshan, so there is no hunting for a return bus.

By train (Ujjain Junction to Dewas Junction)

Dewas is linked to Ujjain Junction by an electrified rail line, and Dewas Junction sits on the Indore-Gwalior line. Rome2rio shows the train journey at about 35 minutes and Cleartrip at about 48 minutes from Ujjain Junction (UJN) to Dewas (DWX). The aggregator says services run roughly hourly, but timetables change, so check NTES or IRCTC for the day you travel. From the station, the Tekri is about a five-minute walk.

By bus and the last mile

Rome2rio lists the bus journey at about one hour and describes services as roughly hourly. The Dewas bus stand is the handiest drop point of any mode, since Wikipedia notes the Tekri is about a five-minute walk from it. The bus suits solo travellers on a budget who are comfortable with the climb.

Taxi Fare from Ujjain to Dewas Tekri

Online fares for this route disagree, and none says what is included. Below, the published figures sit next to simple arithmetic from our own per-km rates. If you want to hire a taxi in Ujjain for this trip, the fleet page lists every vehicle with its seat count and rate.

Aggregator estimates (dated)

As of October 2026, Rome2rio estimates a taxi from Ujjain to Dewas at Rs 750-900, and Cleartrip shows an indicative taxi fare of about Rs 700. Neither says whether waiting time or the return leg is covered.

Working it out from published per-km rates

A round trip of about 78 km (38.6 km each way, rounded up) multiplied by our published per-km rate gives a rough starting figure. Treat these numbers as arithmetic, not a quote.

What to confirm before booking

Our fleet page publishes per-km rates and seat counts only. A minimum-kilometre charge, driver allowance, waiting time at the Tekri, tolls and parking are not published, so they are confirmed when you book. Ask for a single figure that covers the round trip and the waiting time, and mention if you plan to stay at the hill longer than usual, for example during Navratri. Larger groups can compare the Chevrolet Tavera or Force Toofan at Rs 13/km. If you are weighing a self-drive or a car with driver for several days, our car rental in Ujjain guide explains the options.

At the Tekri: Steps, Ropeway or Sliding Path

Dewas Tekri is a hill a little above 300 feet high. According to Wikipedia, there are three ways up: the stairs, a gentler sliding path, and the ropeway. Outlook Traveller describes the stair climb as 300+ steps taking about 30 minutes, with a longer, less steep path as the alternative.

Climbing the 300+ steps

The steps are the traditional route. Start early on warm days, carry water, and wear footwear you can remove easily near the shrines.

Maa Chamunda Ropeway

The Maa Chamunda Ropeway is the easiest way up for elderly travellers, small children or anyone with knee trouble. A per-person ticket is sold at the base station. Published fares and operating hours differ from source to source, so check at the counter on the day. Expect a queue on weekends, holidays and during Navratri.

Chamunda Mata and Tulja Bhavani: who is who

Two main temples crown the hill. Tulja Bhavani is known as Badi Mata, and Chamunda Mata, also called Rakt Chamunda, as Chhoti Mata. Outlook Traveller notes that the Chamunda image is carved into the rock. Local belief holds that the two goddesses are sisters, with Tulja Bhavani the elder. Smaller shrines to Kalika Mata, Hanuman, Bhairav and Annapurna sit around them. Wikipedia records the legend that drops of Sati's blood fell here, which is why the hill is revered as a Rakt Peeth and linked with the Shakti Peetha tradition.

Half-Day Round Trip from Ujjain: Sample Timing

The drive is short, so Dewas Tekri never needs a full day. The real question is where it fits around your temple visits in Ujjain.

Morning plan after Mahakal darshan

You can visit Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga early, have breakfast, and leave for Dewas by mid-morning. You reach the Tekri before midday, climb or take the ropeway, finish darshan at both temples and are back in Ujjain by mid-afternoon with time to rest.

Sunset plan

If your morning is busy in Ujjain, leave in the afternoon and time the climb for the cooler hours. Indiawander suggests the temple is usually open from roughly early morning to night, but hours can vary, so confirm locally before you plan a late visit.

Time-budget table

If you are also planning other short drives, our guide to Ujjain to Nalkheda distance covers another temple day trip that pairs well with a stay in Ujjain.

Visiting During Navratri

Navratri is the busiest time of year at Dewas Tekri. Wikipedia notes that lakhs of pilgrims visit during both Chaitra and Shardiya Navratri, and the atmosphere on the hill is festive and crowded.

Chaitra and Shardiya Navratri crowds

Expect long queues at both temples and at the ropeway. Parking near the base can fill up, and traffic in central Dewas slows down. A trip that takes three to four hours on a normal weekday can stretch much longer during the festival.

Practical tips

• Start as early as you can and add a generous time buffer to the plan above.
• Tell your cab operator in advance that it is a Navratri visit so waiting time is agreed upfront.
• Confirm parking arrangements locally, since they can change during the festival.
• Carry water, a light snack and minimal valuables.
• Elderly travellers may prefer a weekday outside Navratri; travel blogs commonly suggest October to March for a visit.

A Little History: Dewas, the Two Royal States and The Hill of Devi

Dewas was founded in the early 18th century by the Puar (Pawar) Maratha brothers Tukaji Rao and Jivaji Rao, and Wikipedia dates the grant to 1728. The territory was later split into two princely states, Dewas Senior and Dewas Junior, which shared the same town. The English novelist E. M. Forster visited Dewas in 1912 and returned in 1921. He later wrote about his time there in The Hill of Devi (1953). If you have read the book, the view over the Malwa landscape from the top takes on an extra layer of meaning.

Book Your Ujjain to Dewas Tekri Cab

Ujjain Tour and Travel is a local operator based in Ujjain. We can arrange a round-trip cab to Dewas Tekri with the driver waiting while you climb (waiting time agreed at booking), and combine it with darshan and other local sightseeing if you wish. Tell us the number of travellers, your preferred start time and whether you will take the ropeway. Call or WhatsApp +91 83190 07059 to book an Ujjain to Dewas Tekri round-trip cab, and get the inclusions confirmed before you travel.

For background on the hill and its temples, see the Dewas Tekri article on Wikipedia.

Written and reviewed by the Ujjain Tour & Travel editorial team. Facts checked against primary sources; see the reference above.

← All articles