Saralnama
Ujjain, described as the soul of India by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, hosted the second Global Spiritual Tourism Conclave 'RoohMantic' on August 27, 2025. Yadav credited the blessings of Lord Mahakal and the development of the Shri Mahakal Lok corridor, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for enhancing Ujjain's global recognition as a premier religious and spiritual destination. Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat highlighted India’s focus on religious tourism and its cultural renaissance. The event featured discussions on spiritual tourism’s growth, with Madhya Pradesh reporting 130 million tourists in 2024, including seven crore pilgrims in Ujjain alone. Major projects such as the 109-foot Adi Shankaracharya statue and a Rs 2,200-crore initiative to promote Vedanta philosophy were noted. Industry leaders announced investments in hospitality and wellness sectors, including new hotels and Medicity hubs in Bhopal and Indore. The conclave included a government-industry roundtable chaired by the Chief Minister to discuss infrastructure and tourism development ahead of the Simhastha Mahaparv. The event was organized by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board. (Updated 28 Aug 2025, 01:46 IST; source: link)