Preserve Maharashtra’s Saint Heritage, Develop Pilgrimage Centres: CM Devendra Fadnavis

Revised Development Plans for Gangakhed, Amravati and Katol Approved; ₹115 Crore Projects Get Green Signal

Mumbai, July 2026 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed officials to focus on the holistic development of key pilgrimage centres across the state while preserving their rich spiritual and cultural heritage. Stressing the importance of promoting religious tourism, the Chief Minister said development projects should strengthen local economies, generate employment and enhance facilities for devotees without compromising the sanctity of these sacred sites.

Chairing a meeting of the Apex Committee on Pilgrimage Development at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai, Fadnavis approved revised development plans worth a total of ₹115 crore for three major pilgrimage destinations:

• ₹48.55 crore for Sant Janabai Pilgrimage Centre at Gangakhed in Parbhani district,
• ₹25 crore for Sant Gadge Baba Samadhi Sthal in Amravati, and
• ₹41.75 crore for the Shri Chakradhar Swami Temple Complex at Katol in Nagpur district.

The Chief Minister instructed officials to execute all approved works in a phased manner, maintaining high construction quality and ensuring timely completion while taking into account the large number of devotees visiting these sites during festival seasons.

Deputy Ministers Adv. Ashish Jaiswal and Meghna Sakore-Bordikar, MLAs Ratnakar Gutte and Charan Singh Thakur, Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and senior government officials attended the meeting.

₹48.55 Crore Development Plan for Sant Janabai Pilgrimage Centre

The development plan for Sant Janabai’s birthplace at Gangakhed includes a comprehensive upgrade of religious and public infrastructure. Planned works include the construction of a cultural auditorium, development of the Godavari river ghats, a darshan mandap, landscaped gardens, pedestrian pathways, a cement concrete road connecting the temple and the riverbank, a cow protection facility, retaining walls, drainage systems, electrical infrastructure, public toilets, solar energy installations, CCTV surveillance, drinking water facilities and landscaping.

The government believes these improvements will provide better amenities for pilgrims, Warkari devotees and tourists while establishing Gangakhed as an important spiritual destination dedicated to Sant Janabai’s legacy.

₹25 Crore for Sant Gadge Baba Memorial in Amravati

The Sant Gadge Baba Samadhi Sthal in Amravati will undergo significant expansion and modernisation with an investment of ₹25 crore.

Key works include completion of the Sant Gadge Maharaj Memorial Cultural Value Education Centre, construction of the ground floor of the Farmer Village Cleanliness Mission Centre, additional floors for the pilgrims’ accommodation facility, a dedicated kirtan hall, restoration and beautification of the saint’s samadhi, a meditation centre, beautification of Kuntabai Samadhi, internal roads, parking facilities, gardens, furniture and other essential civic infrastructure.

The government expects the project to improve facilities for visitors while preserving the teachings and legacy of Sant Gadge Baba, who is widely remembered for his work in social reform, cleanliness and rural development.

₹41.75 Crore Development for Chakradhar Swami Temple

The revised plan for the Shri Chakradhar Swami Temple Complex at Katol in Nagpur district has been approved with an allocation of ₹41.75 crore.

The project includes construction of a multi-purpose hall, modern public sanitation facilities, a grand entrance gate, protective boundary walls, parking areas, landscaped gardens, an arch bridge, pedestrian pathways and several tourism-related amenities.

According to the government, the project will create safe, well-equipped and modern facilities for devotees of the Mahanubhav sect, while also strengthening religious tourism in the region.

Religious Tourism and Local Economy to Benefit

Chief Minister Fadnavis said the state government aims to preserve Maharashtra’s centuries-old saint tradition while creating world-class infrastructure for pilgrims. He emphasised that improved facilities at pilgrimage centres would not only enhance the spiritual experience of visitors but also stimulate local economic activity by creating jobs and encouraging tourism-related businesses.

The Chief Minister added that all departments involved in the projects should coordinate closely to ensure that every component of the approved master plans is completed within the stipulated timeframe. He also directed officials to maintain the architectural and cultural character of the pilgrimage centres while introducing modern public amenities.

Senior officials, including Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) O.P. Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary (Urban Development) Aseem Kumar Gupta, Principal Secretary Dr. K.H. Govindraj, Director General of Police Sadanand Date, Divisional Commissioners and District Collectors from Nagpur, Parbhani and Amravati, also participated in the meeting.