Latest news with #MahakaleshwarJyotirlinga
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
MP positions itself as hub for wellness & spiritual tourism
Ujjain: Riding on the spiritual appeal of the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga—visited daily by nearly 1 lakh devotees, Madhya Pradesh is stepping up efforts to position itself as a hub for wellness and spiritual tourism, with Ujjain as the focal point of investor interest. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now State govt showcased land banks, polices and investment opportunities in the state to investors. Leading stakeholders held one-on-one discussions with chief minister Mohan Yadav, exploring opportunities worth thousands of crores in tourism and wellness infrastructure at the Wellness and Spiritual Conclave held on Thursday. Highlighting growing interest from national hospitality chains, Mukund Prasad, director at Leisure Hotels Group, said the company is actively expanding into Madhya Pradesh after acquiring land parcels in Kanha and Pench. The group is now exploring Ujjain and Omkareshwar for spiritual and wellness tourism projects. "The state policies are highly supportive and officials are responsive to the needs of promoters. The govt is encouraging investors to combine luxury tourism with wellness, and the group is planning to invest around Rs 200 crore, as wellness development heavily depends on quality infrastructure," said Prasad. Spiritual institutions too have shown keen interest in MP's sacred landscape. Swami Chaitanya Hari, founder of Yoga Nisarga and Vedic Yoga School, said his group is exploring tranquil locations along the Narmada Parikrama and Kshipra river regions to establish wellness centres and ashrams. "These areas offer a spiritually rich and naturally serene environment, ideally suited for holistic healing and yoga-based practices," said Hari. Apart from infrastructure, investors also emphasised the importance of rooting wellness in local culture and resources. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Shubham Agnihotri, vice chairman of the Taiwan India Ayurveda Association, stressed that Madhya Pradesh's wealth of herbs, tribal wisdom, and nutrition-based biodiversity should be integral to the wellness ecosystem. "Local farmers must be included in the supply chain for sourcing food and herbs, ensuring that wellness tourism is both sustainable and authentic," said Agnihotri. The influx of spiritual tourism has also triggered large-scale interest from the real estate and hotel sector. CREDAI Ujjain president Mahesh Paryani said demand for hospitality infrastructure is growing rapidly. "Around ten major hotel chains have already tied up for projects in the city and are expected to begin operations by the next financial year. These hotels are expected to invest over Rs 3,000 crore," he said.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
MP aims to boost spiritual and wellness tourism
Indore: In anticipation of the massive Simhastha spiritual gathering in 2028 and the rising tourist influx across spiritual circuits, the Madhya Pradesh govt is eyeing enhancements to its spiritual and wellness tourism offerings. The state is seeking investments in the sector to promote a blend of spirituality and health-focused initiatives. The Indore region, renowned for its key pilgrimage sites such as the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga and Omkareshwar, draws lakhs of devotees each month, providing a spiritual haven for visitors from across the nation. Aiming to capitalise on the growing interest in wellness experiences, the state govt is engaging in discussions with prominent wellness and Ayurveda chains to promote investment in the spiritual circuits and picturesque destinations within Madhya Pradesh. Chandramauli Shukla, managing director of the Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation (MPIDC), said, "With changing traveller preferences, wellness and spiritual tourism is increasingly in demand. Madhya Pradesh holds immense potential in this sector, and we are committed to creating platforms for businesses to explore our offerings." To kick off these initiatives, the state will host its first-ever Spiritual and Wellness Summit on June 5 in Ujjain, drawing around 300 stakeholders from the hospitality and wellness industries. Shukla emphasised on the importance of positioning Ujjain as the central hub of India's wellness economy, particularly as it prepares to host the Kumbh Mela in 2028, an event anticipated to attract crores globally. The upcoming summit will feature panel discussions aimed at developing a cohesive wellness ecosystem, addressing workforce challenges, and exploring partnership models within the industry. With this focused approach, Madhya Pradesh aims to elevate its status as a premier destination for spiritual and wellness tourism, catering to an evolving market of health-conscious travellers.
