BHOPAL / Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday said Ujjain, the city of Lord Mahakal, was reclaiming its historic prominence as the state government stepped up development works ahead of the Simhastha 2028.
Yadav made the remarks while addressing devotees from the broadcast room after the fifth procession of Lord Mahakaleshwar reached Ram Ghat. He said Ujjain had retained its spiritual and cultural significance through the ages and was blessed by Lord Mahakal.
The fifth Sawan procession of Lord Mahakaleshwar was taken out from the Mahakaleshwar Temple as scheduled amid religious fervour. On its arrival at Ram Ghat, Yadav offered prayers to Lord Chandramouleshwar, the deity seated in the ceremonial palanquin. Priest Pandit Ashish Sharma performed the ritual abhishek of the deity with water from the Shipra river, while flower petals were showered from a helicopter.
Yadav reached Ram Ghat by boat from the Datt Akhara side as the procession arrived at the ghat. State minister Gautam Tetwal, Minister of State for Public Health and Medical Education Narendra Shivaji Patel, Ujjain North MLA Anil Jain Kalu Kheda, Badnagar MLA Jitendra Uday Singh Pandya and Ujjain Development Authority chairman Ravi Solanki were among those present.
Focus on Simhastha 2028
Yadav said the state government was committed to making Simhastha 2028 a grand event and that preparations and development works were already underway.
He said residents had voluntarily supported infrastructure projects in Ujjain, with people even removing their own houses and religious structures, including temples, mosques and gurdwaras, to facilitate development. He described the cooperation as an example for the country and the world.
“Ujjain, the city of Emperor Vikramaditya, is once again moving towards excellence,” Yadav said, adding that development and welfare works were being accelerated ahead of Simhastha.
The chief minister also said the Mahakal Lok project had strengthened Ujjain’s position on the global religious tourism map. The government would now work to showcase Madhya Pradesh’s natural, forest, wildlife and archaeological heritage to visitors from across the world, he said.
Millions witness procession online
The fifth procession was broadcast live, enabling millions of devotees in India and abroad to participate virtually. Residents along the procession route and devotees from different parts of Madhya Pradesh also gathered to witness the event.
Yadav said the Mahakal processions during the holy month of Sawan symbolised the country’s cultural unity, bringing together traditions from north and south India. He said Lord Mahakal’s processions on the coming Mondays would give devotees an opportunity to seek his blessings.
Praises PM Modi
Yadav also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying India’s standing globally had risen under his leadership. He said Indians living abroad were increasingly taking pride in their identity and that India’s spiritual and cultural traditions were gaining wider recognition.
He said the government was committed to advancing welfare initiatives while projecting India’s cultural heritage globally. Yadav also referred to Modi receiving Uzbekistan’s highest civilian honour, describing it as the Prime Minister’s 36th international award.