After centuries, Ujjain set to get Vikramaditya’s courtroom again

INDORE: Courtroom of king Vikramaditya will be re-created at Ujjain with his 26-ft high statue, the famous throne – Sinhasan Battisi – and life-size statues of galaxy of scholars of his court called as Navratna, before the Simhastha kumbh begins.
Courtroom will come up on Vikram Teela – a hillock behind Mahakal temple where many believe Vikramaditya’s throne is buried since ages.
Ujjain Municipal Corporation (UMC) has been working overtime to give the project a shape before Simhastha festival in April-May and believes it will act as a reminder of the wisdom, valour and magnanimity of legendary king who ruled Ujjaini in 1 century BC.
Face of Vikramaditya statue will be cast on basis of his features carved in the oldest known gold coin found in records of Vikramaditya Research Institute, assistant engineer, Ujjain Municipal Corporation, Piyush Bhargava told TOI.
“Vikram Teela is being transformed into an attractive tourist destination with the king’s statue and throne that will have 32 apsaras (fairies) believed to have been associated with the throne,” he said, adding, the cadre of scholars (Navratna) will be part of his courtroom.
Vikramaditya was the second son of Ujjain's King Gandharvasena of Paramara dynasty. According to legends, he received the throne from Lord Indra as he settled a dispute between apsaras Rambha and Urvasi. Throne is also believed to be the source of his wisdom. Tales associated with wise decisions taken by him are narrated in Sinhasan Battisi.
Courtroom will also have life-size statues of navratna – Kalidas, Dhanvantri, Amarsingh, Sanku, Kshaparak, Ghatkiharpar, Betalbhatt, Varahimir and Varuchi – made up of architectural bronze, said Ashok Bhargav of Alfa Consultants, the firm contracted by UMC to complete the project.
UMC also plans to install murals of Vikramaditya’s escapades shown in old paintings on walls around the courtroom complex that is expected to be completed by February 28.
Throne has already reached Ujjain and its installation will begin on February 8, said Piyush Bhargava.
Mini interpretation centre
UMC plans to start a mini-interpretation centre for tourists visiting the Vikramaditya’s courtroom. Centre will give details of Ujjain’s history, stories associated with Vikramaditya and details of monuments installed at the site in audio format. Tourists will be able to access the audio files by dialing designated numbers, UMC AE Piyush Bhargava said.