The Chief Minister's Office of Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday, May 24, 2026, shared directives from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath outlining a plan to develop wellness and healing-based tourism around Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Mathura — the state's three foremost religious destinations. The announcement also calls for modern AYUSH wellness centres and a 100-bed integrated AYUSH medical and training centre to be established through the public-private partnership (PPP) model. The post quotes CM Yogi Adityanath as saying that 'Varanasi, Ayodhya evam Mathura jaise pramukh dharmik sthalon ke aaspaas wellness evam healing aadharit paryatan' ['wellness and healing-based tourism around major religious sites like Varanasi, Ayodhya and Mathura'] holds vast potential. He directed that AYUSH institutions be developed not merely as treatment centres but as hubs of wellness, training, research, and employment generation.

Context

The directive comes as Uttar Pradesh continues to position itself as a spiritual tourism powerhouse. Varanasi, a seat of ancient learning and the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, already draws millions of pilgrims annually. Ayodhya has seen a sharp surge in visitors following the consecration of the Ram Temple, while Mathura anchors the state's Krishna pilgrimage circuit. Layering AYUSH-based wellness infrastructure onto these existing circuits is intended to extend visitor stays and diversify the tourism economy.

Policy Backdrop

The Ministry of AYUSH, established in November 2014, was created to mainstream Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy into India's public health framework. The National AYUSH Mission, a centrally sponsored scheme launched the same year, has since channelled funds toward AYUSH infrastructure, education, and service delivery across states. Uttar Pradesh's current push aligns with this national framework, adding a tourism and employment dimension that goes beyond clinical care. The PPP model is seen as a way to attract private investment while keeping public oversight over quality and access.

Stakeholders and Impact

The proposed centres are expected to benefit multiple groups. Religious tourists — both domestic and international — would gain access to authentic traditional medicine and wellness programmes in proximity to pilgrimage sites. AYUSH practitioners, including Ayurveda doctors, yoga instructors, and naturopaths, stand to gain new institutional platforms. Crucially, the directive's explicit mention of employment generation signals an intent to create local jobs for youth in cities that, despite their cultural significance, have historically lagged in formal employment metrics. The 100-bed integrated centre model, if replicated across all three cities, would represent a meaningful addition to each city's healthcare and hospitality capacity.

What's Next

The immediate next steps will involve state departments identifying land parcels, drafting PPP tender documents, and aligning with the National AYUSH Mission for co-funding. Budget allocations and formal tender notices for the proposed centres in Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Mathura will be the concrete markers of progress. If implemented at scale, this initiative could position Uttar Pradesh as a national model for integrating traditional medicine infrastructure with religious tourism — a template other pilgrimage-heavy states may look to replicate.