Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav on Wednesday said that Ujjain is the center of India’s religious, cultural, and spiritual energy, with Baba Mahakal himself as the source.
“Baba Mahakal is the eternal force that keeps the cosmos in motion. With Baba Mahakal’s blessings, Ujjain has gained global fame as the best religious and spiritual destination, symbolising the Nation’s deep faith and traditions,” he said.
The Chief Minister made the remarks during the inaugural program of the second Global Spiritual Tourism Conclave ‘रूहMantic’ at Hotel Anjushree, Ujjain, which he inaugurated alongside Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Both leaders also released the book Faith and Flow during the event.
Ujjain’s Historical Significance and Spiritual Tourism
“The glorious Ujjain has a long history. After the inauguration of Shri Mahakal MahaLok by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Ujjain has attained worldwide recognition, attraction. Now, devotees and tourists from across the country and abroad are arriving in large numbers,” CM Dr. Yadav said.
He highlighted Ujjain as the city of time calculation, noting that Sandipani Ashram was where Lord Shri Krishna gained knowledge. “For self-realisation, there is no better place in than India. Today, India may have political boundaries, but religion and culture do not know any frontiers,” he added.
The Chief Minister emphasised the role of spiritual tourism in public welfare: “This conclave envisions public welfare through tourism and pilgrimage,” and recalled that India’s spiritual tourism has gained momentum under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He also praised the historic role of temples in shaping India’s democratic and cultural identity: “Our temples can also serve as the foundation of democracy.”
Global Recognition and Development of Ujjain
Union Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said Ujjain’s spiritual heritage is charting a new course for global spiritual tourism. “The number of visitors that once came in an entire year, now arrive within just one to one-and-a-half weeks,” he noted. Shri Shekhawat highlighted India’s enduring cultural legacy, pilgrimage traditions, and the rise of domestic tourism, crediting PM Modi’s leadership for positioning India as a global cultural hub.
Spiritual Guru Shri Dheer Gaur Das Prabhu observed that Ujjain is advancing rapidly with modern facilities and is on track to join other leading religious tourism destinations in India and worldwide. “Spiritual tourism alone contributes 2.5% of India’s GDP, and there is scope to increase this further,” he said.
Preparations for Simhastha 2028 are underway, with new infrastructure including bridges, roads, and ghats being developed. Officials noted Madhya Pradesh’s rapid tourism growth, recording 110 million tourists in 2023 and 130 million in 2024, with Ujjain leading at 70 million visitors.
Collaborative Efforts and Future Plans
The conclave saw participation from ministers, MLAs, tourism officials, experts, and representatives from religious trusts. CM Dr. Yadav held a roundtable with leading institutions, highlighting Madhya Pradesh’s tourism policies and inviting collaboration to expand spiritual tourism. PHDCCI and Sage Group leaders announced plans for hospitality, wellness, and Medicity projects in Bhopal, Indore, and Omkareshwar, along with increased flight connectivity for the upcoming Simhastha.
“Their suggestions and experiences will be valuable in taking Madhya Pradesh further ahead in the field of religious tourism,” CM Dr. Yadav said, underlining the state government’s commitment to positioning Ujjain as a global hub for spiritual tourism.