Union Minister of Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said on Wednesday that Ujjain’s spiritual heritage is not only enriching India’s cultural tradition but is also charting a new course for spiritual tourism at the global level.
Addressing the inauguration of the second Global Spiritual Tourism Conclave ‘रूहMantic’ held at Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, Shekhawat noted that India’s tourism policy includes significant provisions for developing religious and spiritual centers that reinforce the nation’s cultural foundation.
He expressed strong hope that such events would elevate India’s culture and tourism to greater heights on the world stage. Shekhawat said that Indian culture survived invasions for 2,000 years and endured 200 years of colonial rule, yet it remains strong and thriving. He noted that as far back as 2,500 years ago, when humanity was still searching for its identity, India already had a flourishing tradition of pilgrimage.
The Union Minister further noted that Adi Shankaracharya traveled 24,000 kilometers from Kerala to Persia, introducing the world to Indian culture. He said that during British rule, writers interpreted India’s diversity in their own way, but India remains a united Bharat. He emphasized that the Prayagraj Mahakumbh is a prime example, where people of every sect, tradition and denomination come together on one platform to send out a message of global peace.
Shekhawat said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s economy has grown rapidly, and the number of tourists visiting Ujjain has increased significantly. He remarked, “The number of visitors that once came in an entire year, now arrive within just one to one-and-a-half weeks.”
The Union Minister said that today there is healthy competition among states to develop their tourism potential, and Madhya Pradesh, the Heart of Incredible India, has immense opportunities in the tourism sector. He noted that by properly exploring its tourism potential, Madhya Pradesh has even surpassed Rajasthan in this field.
He added that India possesses the world’s most ancient traditions and heritage, and domestic tourism is growing steadily, and the Nation has become a global center of attraction. The country is witnessing a cultural renaissance, and the outlook of Indians toward their own nation has changed. He said, “The new generation of children no longer aspire to go abroad; instead, they take pride in our traditions and culture.”
Shekhawat emphasised that India will soon become the world’s third-largest economy.
MP CM Dr Mohan Yadav and other dignitaries were also present at the event.
Dr Yadav said that the event would serve as a global platform to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions to the world. He added that the event will also provide direct outreach to corporate groups and temple trusts in preparation for Simhastha–2028 in Ujjain.
More than 300 dignitaries, including spiritual leaders, thinkers and visionaries from India and abroad, participated in the conference.
A dedicated session, ‘Mandala of Mahakal: Ujjain’s Spiritual Power and Urban Future’, put the spotlight on the sacred significance of Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, the impact of the Simhastha Kumbh and innovations in urban development.
Other sessions were held on new frontiers of spirituality, such as ‘Mind, Body and Soul: Wellness as the New Spiritual Frontier’, focusing on integrating Ayurveda, Yoga and meditation with tourism and ‘Divine in Digital – Spirituality 2.0’, discussing how technologies like virtual darshan, AI and VR can make spirituality more accessible.
The Conclave concluded with darshan at Shri Mahakaleshwar and Shri Kal Bhairav temples, offering delegates a direct spiritual experience.
Ujjain is MP CM Dr Mohan Yadav’s hometown.