Devotees visiting Ujjain are not merely guests but guests of Mahakal—their hospitality must be marked by compassion as well: Chief Minister Dr. Yadav

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav stated all devotees coming to Ujjain for darshan of Baba Mahakal are welcome and honoured. Over 5 lakh devotees have had darshan in the last 3-4 days alone. Devotees visiting Ujjain are not just guests but invitees of Baba Mahakal himself, who has called them for his darshan. Every arrangement for their reception must therefore reflect sensitivity and warmth. He said, by Baba Mahakal’s grace, Ujjain has become the global centre of spiritual consciousness, not just for India, and the cooperation of Ujjain’s citizens is the true service to Baba Mahakal. The government, administration and society together will make Simhastha-2028 the grandest, most divine, disciplined, safe, well-managed and historic event.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav addressed an inauguration and Bhoomi Poojan ceremony for various development projects at Nanakheda Stadium in Ujjain on Monday. He inaugurated and performed the Bbhoomi Poojan for 12 development projects worth approximately ₹129 crore. The Chief Minister simultaneously launched three major youth-centric initiatives in Ujjain: Project Swadhyaya (Coding for All), which connects students to coding and digital thinking from a young age; UtkarshUjjain.com web portal, an integrated digital platform for youth learning, guidance and opportunities; and Kaushal Setu Industry-Lead Skill Development event, which bridges the gap between education and industry to prepare youth for real-world needs.  He said, these initiatives will not limit Ujjain’s youth to degrees alone but make them job-ready, startup-ready and future-ready.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav also performed Bhoomi-Pujan for 11 development projects worth ₹124 crore in Ujjain urban area, including road widening (₹102 crore), enhancement of Kapila Gaushala for 3,000 cattle (₹9.50 crore), EWS colony development in Panwasa (₹8.75 crore), sports complex in Kanipura (₹3.47 crore) and new Janpad Panchayat building (₹5 crore). Projects worth ₹45 crore are underway. He announced the installation of modern astroturf at Ujjain’s old hockey stadium for international matches and noted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian athletes are winning medals in nearly all sports.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said efforts are underway to transform Madhya Pradesh youth from job-seekers to job-creators. Today’s initiatives will support this direction. State government schemes, such as Seekho-Kamao, the Skill India Mission and the PM Internship, provide practical experience alongside studies, preparing youth for the job market and industry needs. Ujjain’s youth must seize this opportunity to prepare for a brighter future.

Simhastha-2028 Will Be Unparalleled

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said Simhastha is the world’s largest religious fair, a magnificent confluence of Indian religion, culture, spirituality and tourism. Preparations have commenced with the objective of enabling more than 5 crore devotees to perform the holy bath and achman in the purified waters of the Shipra River along 30 km of ghats within 24 hours. To strengthen these arrangements, 33 major projects worth ₹2,675 crore have been approved in Ujjain, and their implementation is underway. Special emphasis is being placed on effective crowd management and on connecting the entire fair area with four- and six-lane roads to ensure seamless connectivity. Ujjain is being developed as a medical tourism hub with modern health facilities-a Medicity is under construction, alongside a new industrial park, IT park and Science City at the old engineering college campus. He said, skill development centres have started for 3,000 youth at Ninaura and 2,000 at Maksi under Project Swadhyaya today. A metro service will operate between Indore and Ujjain in the future. However, the Vande Bharat Metro Train will be introduced first. Chintaman Ganesh Station is being upgraded as the main railway station, and a new railway station will be constructed at Mohanpura. A major airport is being developed nearby, enabling devotees to arrive directly in Ujjain.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav announced the construction of Shani Lok in Ujjain with an approved cost of ₹140 crore, creating a new landmark for faith and tourism. He said that four-lane roads are being developed in all directions, along with the construction of 12–13 new bridges to strengthen connectivity. Ujjain will become part of the Indore-Ujjain Metropolitan Area spanning 14,000 sq km—India’s second largest after Delhi—including Shajapur, Susner, Dewas and Ratlam from Ujjain division.

Under Prime Minister Modi’s guidance, he said, India is scripting a new story. The grand Mahakal Lok in Ujjain has gained a unique global identity; darshan of Mahakal blesses life. He is not just Ujjain’s but the world’s Mahakal. It is our fortune that after 1980, Simhastha bathing will use Shipra waters. The Kanha River Project will provide pure water for Achman and ample irrigation for Ujjain residents. Ujjain has always held special significance. Baba Mahakal, who resides here, dwells within us all, and all our endeavours are accomplished by his divine will.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav urged Ujjain residents to wholeheartedly assist visitors during Simhastha and directed the district administration to prepare a list of volunteers. He noted Ujjain also has Juna Mahakal and has been the global centre for planetary time calculation; the state government has created a Vedic clock accordingly. While accelerating development for Simhastha, equal emphasis is being placed on heritage conservation. The Samrat Vikramaditya Hotel near the Mahakal Temple has been redeveloped, and the old Kotri has been restored by ‘Veer Bharat Nyas’. This development caravan will continue; the government is committed to comprehensive state progress.

Ujjain Lok Sabha MP Shri Anil Firoziya said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, Ujjain’s condition and direction are continuously transforming. He said that during his tenure as Higher Education Minister, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav initiated and gifted numerous development works to the region. Broad roads are now reaching villages across the state, while farmers are receiving Bhavantar payments and crop insurance in a timely manner. He added that under the Ladli Behna scheme, ₹1,500 is being transferred every month directly into the accounts of sisters. He said that a wave of development is sweeping across the state. Other speakers also addressed the gathering.

The event was attended by Rajya Sabha member Shri Umesh Nath Maharaj, MLAs Shri Anil Jain Kaluheda, Shri Satish Malviya and Shri Jitendra Pandya, Ujjain Mayor Shri Mukesh Tatwal and other public representatives and locals.