CM Yogi declares Gorakhgiri Mahoba's new adventure tourism hub
Synopsis
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has declared Gorakhgiri in Mahoba a new tourism centre for Uttar Pradesh, with plans to develop it as a leading adventure tourism destination under the state's ongoing Bundelkhand development push.
Key Takeaways
Gorakhgiri in Mahoba district has been officially designated a new tourism centre by the Uttar Pradesh government.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the site will be developed specifically as a major adventure tourism hub.
Mahoba is part of the Bundelkhand region, historically underserved in tourism despite significant heritage assets.
The move aligns with the UP Tourism Policy 2018 and the Bundelkhand development package announced in 2020-21 .
The Yogi government has since 2017 pursued tourism diversification beyond Ayodhya and Varanasi to generate employment in southern districts.
Budget allocations and private-sector tendering for Gorakhgiri infrastructure will be the next indicators of project progress.
The Chief Minister's Office of Uttar Pradesh announced on Sunday, 21 June 2026 that Gorakhgiri in Mahoba district has been identified as a new tourism centre for the state, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stating it will be developed as a major adventure tourism destination.
Context
Quoting Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the official CMO post stated: 'Gorakhgiri ke roop mein Mahoba ko paryatan ka ek naya kendra prapt hua hai' — 'Mahoba has received a new tourism centre in the form of Gorakhgiri. It will be developed as a leading centre for adventure tourism.' The announcement positions Gorakhgiri as a distinct destination within the Bundelkhand region, signalling state-level intent to invest in the site's tourism infrastructure.
Policy Backdrop
Mahoba, located in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, is historically noted for its ancient lakes, forts and temples. The district has long been considered underserved in terms of tourism footfall despite its heritage assets. The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Policy 2018 had already flagged the development of new tourism circuits and adventure products in lesser-known districts, with Bundelkhand explicitly included in that framework.
State-level infrastructure and tourism promotion efforts in Mahoba and neighbouring Bundelkhand districts were amplified through a dedicated development package announced in 2020-21, which prioritised connectivity upgrades and site-level improvements. The Gorakhgiri announcement fits squarely within this continuing policy arc.
Stakeholders and Impact
The primary beneficiaries of a developed Gorakhgiri adventure tourism hub would be Mahoba's residents, local tourism businesses, and hospitality operators who have historically seen limited visitor volumes compared to western Uttar Pradesh's more established circuits. Adventure tourists — a fast-growing segment nationally — represent the intended audience for the site.
Since 2017, the Yogi Adityanath government has pursued deliberate tourism-led economic diversification beyond the state's traditional religious centres of Ayodhya and Varanasi. The strategy has emphasised adventure, eco and heritage tourism in southern districts to generate local employment and attract private investment, and the Gorakhgiri designation continues that pattern.
What's Next
Concrete progress on the Gorakhgiri project will be gauged through state budget allocations, tendering for adventure infrastructure at the site, and any subsequent announcements of private-sector partnerships. Visitor statistics and investment figures, once available, will indicate whether the designation translates into on-ground development. The site's trajectory will also serve as a test case for the broader Bundelkhand tourism model that the state administration has been building over the past several years.
Point of View
The government is signalling political as well as economic attention to a region that has historically felt neglected. Adventure tourism, as a category, also skews toward younger, higher-spending visitors — a demographic the state is keen to attract. Whether the designation converts into funded, tendered infrastructure will be the real measure of commitment, and that test is now firmly in the public record.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gorakhgiri in Mahoba?
Gorakhgiri is a site in Mahoba district of Uttar Pradesh that the state government has now designated as a new tourism centre, with plans to develop it as a major adventure tourism destination.
Why is Mahoba being promoted for tourism?
Mahoba , located in the Bundelkhand region, has significant heritage assets including ancient lakes, forts and temples but has historically seen low tourist footfall. The state government has been working to unlock the region's tourism potential since at least 2018.
What did CM Yogi say about Gorakhgiri?
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that Mahoba has received a new tourism centre in the form of Gorakhgiri and that it will be developed as a leading centre for adventure tourism.
What is the UP government's adventure tourism policy?
The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Policy 2018 identified adventure and eco-tourism products in lesser-known districts, including those in Bundelkhand , as priority areas for development alongside the state's established religious circuits.
What will happen next at Gorakhgiri?
The next steps to watch are state budget allocations for the site, tendering of adventure infrastructure contracts, and any private-sector investment announcements tied to the Gorakhgiri project in Mahoba .
