Ujjain to host global spiritual tourism conclave on August 27

New Delhi, Aug 23 (PTI) Ujjain -- the holy city of Mahakal in Madhya Pradesh -- will host a global spiritual tourism conclave on August 27 that will provide a platform for dialogue on strengthening infrastructure and the impact of AI and virtual reality in the sector.

The event is being organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, and the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, a tourism ministry statement said on Saturday.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will inaugurate the second Global Spiritual Tourism Conclave -- 'Ruhmantic' -- in the presence of Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the statement said.

Gauranga Das Prabhu, a spiritual leader, will deliver the keynote address.

Senior officials, including Suman Billa, Additional Secretary and Director General, Ministry of Tourism, and Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary, Madhya Pradesh Tourism, will also address the gathering.

A highlight of the event will be the release of the PHDCCI-KPMG report on spiritual tourism titled 'Faith and Flow: Navigating Crowds in India's Sacred Spaces'.

A government-industry roundtable, to be chaired by Chief Minister Yadav, will provide a platform for dialogue on strengthening infrastructure, responsible hospitality, and cultural promotion in spiritual tourism, the statement said.

The day-long deliberations will include thematic sessions on 'Temple Economies: Where Faith Meets Livelihood', examining how temple circuits sustain local economies; and 'Mahakal's Mandala: Ujjain's Spiritual Power and Urban Future', which will explore heritage and modernisation.

The other sessions include 'Mind, Body and Soul: Wellness as the New Spiritual Frontier', integration of yoga, ayurveda and wellness; and 'Divine in the Digital - Spirituality 2.0' -- impact of AI, virtual reality, and digital apps on spiritual access.

Besides, another session on 'Guardians of the Sacred Axis - The Jyotirlinga Circuit' will trace the cultural significance of the 12 Jyotirlingas.

The delegates will also visit the Mahakaleshwar temple and the Kal Bhairav temple, experiencing Ujjain's spiritual heritage, the ministry said. PTI KND ARI