Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Union Minister of Tourism & Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Wednesday inaugurated the second Global Spiritual Tourism Conclave, ‘RoohMantic’, in Ujjain district.

CM Yadav highlighted that the state government is actively working to promote religious tourism, with several sessions being held during the conclave to explore ways to enhance pilgrimage experiences. The event is organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board.

During the event, the Chief Minister and Union Minister released a book on spirituality titled Faith and Flow and held a roundtable discussion with representatives from institutions in the spiritual and wellness sectors.

Speaking to reporters, CM Yadav said, “To promote religious tourism, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has come to attend our major program on religious tourism here. Also, various trustees and directors from Tirupati Balaji, Shirdi Sai Baba, ISKCON International, and other such major institutions from across the country have come to this program. Our Madhya Pradesh government is working to promote religious tourism, and in this context, sessions will be held throughout the day on topics such as what kind of service activities can be undertaken, how to take care of the facilities for pilgrims etc. Our Union Tourism Minister has inaugurated the program.”

He further praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that under his leadership, a new era of change and evolution has arrived across the country.

In a post on X, CM Yadav added, “With the aim of how the spirit of pilgrimage along with tourism can benefit human beings, society, and the state, we will present a model that enables the exchange of practices and experiences among institutions engaged in religious, social, and public welfare activities across different states. Today, we inaugurated the 2nd Global Spiritual Tourism Conclave ‘RoohMantic’ in the presence of Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in Ujjain and released the book ‘Faith and Flow’ based on spirituality.”

He further emphasised in another post on X that Madhya Pradesh has immense potential to develop religious sites and natural beauty as spiritual tourism centres. “Our government is committed to help in every possible way,” CM Yadav wrote, highlighting the state’s dedication to promoting spiritual tourism.

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.

Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh): Calling Ujjain “the soul of India”, a city that embodies the nation’s religious, cultural, and spiritual energy, rooted in the divine grace of Lord Mahakal, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said it was Mahakal’s blessings that led such a small city to have the global recognition of “the best religious and spiritual destination”. 

Yadav was addressing the inauguration of the second Global Spiritual Tourism Conclave ‘RoohMantic’ at a private hotel on Wednesday.

He said that Ujjain’s stature is the result of a long journey, significantly accelerated after PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Shri Mahakal Lok corridor, transforming the city’s identity and attraction. Lighting the ceremonial lamp alongside Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the CM spoke of Ujjain’s timeless glory. “This is the city of time itself…Ujjain has been a seat of learning since the time of Lord Krishna, at the Sandipani Ashram. For self-reflection, there is no better place in the world,” he said.

The CM underlined that faith and culture transcend political borders, noting that Indian civilisation once extended as far as Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Recalling the legacies of rulers and saints, from Raja Vikramaditya’s temple building two millennia ago, to Ahilyabai Holkar’s reconstruction of Kashi Vishwanath, and the architectural inspiration of temples for India’s Parliament buildings, Yadav stressed that temples can also form the foundation of democracy.

Union Minister Shekhawat praised Ujjain’s spiritual legacy for enriching India’s cultural heritage and drawing global attention to spiritual tourism. He noted that India’s tourism policy places special focus on developing religious destinations, emphasising that such initiatives will elevate India’s culture and tourism on the world stage. Despite invasions and colonial rule, he said, Indian civilisation has remained vibrant. He cited Adi Shankaracharya’s 24,000-km journey from Kerala to Persia as proof of India’s timeless spiritual influence, adding that the Kumbh in Prayagraj stands as a living testament to India’s unity amid diversity. 

He said India is undergoing a cultural renaissance, with younger generations increasingly proud of their traditions, and projected that the nation will soon become the world’s third-largest economy.

Dr Ranjit Mehta, CEO and Secretary General of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, called the conclave a landmark event, noting that MP’s spiritual tourism sector is expanding rapidly. The PHDCCI, he assured, is ready to work with the state to realise its tourism potential. Sanjeev Agrawal, Chair of the PHDCCI’s MP Chapter, reminded the gathering that ancient India was once defined by spiritual tourism, urging a revival of that tradition. 

Culture and Tourism Principal Secretary Sheo Shekhar Shukla reported that 130 million tourists visited the state in 2024, which is a 20% growth rate. Ujjain emerged as the leading destination with seven crore pilgrims in the past year alone. He highlighted major projects including the 109-foot statue of Adi Shankaracharya at Omkareshwar and an Rs 2,200-crore mega project to promote Vedanta and Advaita philosophy.

Anil Parashar, national president of PHDCCI, said that faith is the biggest space in tourism; 140 crore people visited India during the last year. ISKCON Ujjain head Dheer Gour Das emphasised the importance of adapting pilgrimage sites to modern needs, predicting Ujjain’s imminent inclusion among the world’s top ten religious tourism cities alongside Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Tirupati, and Varanasi. 

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Growing interest in investing in spiritual, wellness sectors 

Later, the CM convened a high-level roundtable conference with leading representatives from the spiritual and wellness sectors. The CM apprised participants of the impact and achievements of MP in spiritual tourism and outlined the key provisions and benefits of the state’s investment policy in the tourism sector. Sanjeev Agrawal, Founder-Chairman of Sage Group, said that work is underway to establish Medicity hubs in Bhopal and Indore, with investment plans also being laid out in the hospitality sector in Bhopal and Omkareshwar. Dr Ranjit Mehta, CEO and Secretary General of PHDCCI, revealed plans to set up a golf resort in MP. Amit Singh, Director of Sales at Radisson, announced that a new hotel will soon open in Ujjain, with three more properties planned in the state. Vikrant Deshmukh, Associate Director at Indigo, said that in view of the coming Simhastha Mahaparv, additional flights would be introduced to accommodate the surge in tourist inflow.