Simhastha 2028: MP CM Mohan Yadav urges Ujjain residents to open homes to pilgrims
Synopsis
With Simhastha 2028 still two years away, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav is already mobilising Ujjain's residents to open their homes to pilgrims — a signal of the massive scale the state is anticipating. A ₹800 crore infrastructure push covering Kshipra River ghats and roads underlines that preparation has formally begun.
Key Takeaways
MP CM Mohan Yadav on 9 November 2026 appealed to Ujjain residents to offer temporary or permanent accommodation to pilgrims for Simhastha 2028 .
The Chief Minister announced ₹800 crore in development projects for Ujjain, including Kshipra River ghats and road construction.
A new police station near Valmiki Dham complex in Ujjain was also announced.
Yadav spoke after performing Govardhan Puja at Tilkeshwar Gaushala in Ujjain.
The Ujjain Simhastha Kumbh Mela is scheduled for 2028 , held once every 12 years on the banks of the Kshipra River .
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday, 9 November 2026, appealed to residents of Ujjain and its neighbouring areas to offer temporary or permanent accommodation to pilgrims expected to descend on the city for the Simhastha 2028 Kumbh Mela. Speaking at a public event, Yadav said widespread community participation would help make the religious congregation grander and more spiritually significant.
The Accommodation Appeal
Chief Minister Yadav urged homeowners and plot holders in Ujjain, the broader Simhastha zone, and surrounding regions to convert spare rooms or vacant land into guest lodging facilities ahead of the event. He emphasised that the sheer scale of devotee arrivals expected at Simhastha 2028 would require accommodation well beyond what state infrastructure could provide alone.
'I appeal to residents of Ujjain, the Simhastha region and surrounding areas to construct permanent or temporary guest accommodation at their homes or on vacant plots to provide lodging for devotees visiting the city during Simhastha,' Yadav said.
He added, 'With public participation, the organisation of Simhastha will become even grander and more divine.'
₹800 Crore Development Push for Ujjain
Alongside the accommodation appeal, the Chief Minister announced development projects worth ₹800 crore to be taken up in Ujjain. The package covers construction of ghats along the Kshipra River and improvement of roads in the designated Simhastha area. A new police station near the Valmiki Dham complex in Ujjain was also announced, aimed at bolstering security infrastructure ahead of the event.
Govardhan Puja and Cultural Context
Yadav was addressing the gathering after performing Govardhan Puja at Tilkeshwar Gaushala in Ujjain, where he offered a chunari to a cow and conducted traditional worship rituals. He highlighted that Govardhan Puja reflected the Sanatan tradition of revering nature and marked the beginning of a new year in the Hindu calendar. The occasion, he said, symbolised the close ties between nature, agriculture, and the prosperity of farming communities.
The Chief Minister also called on people to move beyond symbolic cow worship toward active participation in animal husbandry, noting it could meaningfully improve farmers' livelihoods. He extended Diwali and Govardhan Puja greetings to the people of Madhya Pradesh, wishing them happiness and well-being.
About Simhastha 2028
The Ujjain Simhastha, also known as the Kumbh Mela of Ujjain, is one of India's largest religious gatherings, held once every 12 years on the banks of the Kshipra River. The next edition is scheduled for 2028. Millions of pilgrims are expected to visit, making logistical and infrastructure preparation a priority for the state government well in advance. This announcement marks one of the earlier formal public mobilisation efforts by the Madhya Pradesh government for the event.
With roughly two years remaining, the state is now moving to align civic infrastructure, security, and community participation ahead of what is expected to be one of the largest public gatherings on the Indian calendar.
Point of View
So governments seek to offload the accommodation burden onto residents. While framed as community participation, the appeal essentially asks private citizens to invest in hospitality infrastructure for a state-managed event. The ₹800 crore announced for ghats and roads is meaningful, but the gap between infrastructure spend and actual pilgrim capacity remains unquantified. With two years to go, the real test will be whether the state follows up with concrete incentive structures — tax breaks, subsidies, or formal homestay registration — to convert the CM's appeal into actual beds.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did MP CM Mohan Yadav announce regarding Simhastha 2028?
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav appealed to residents of Ujjain and surrounding areas to build or offer temporary and permanent accommodation to pilgrims for Simhastha 2028. He also announced ₹800 crore in development projects including construction of Kshipra River ghats and roads in the Simhastha zone.
When is the Ujjain Simhastha Kumbh Mela?
The Ujjain Simhastha is scheduled for 2028. It is a major religious gathering held once every 12 years on the banks of the Kshipra River in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
What infrastructure projects were announced for Ujjain ahead of Simhastha 2028?
The Madhya Pradesh government announced development projects worth ₹800 crore, covering construction of ghats along the Kshipra River, road improvements in the Simhastha area, and a new police station near the Valmiki Dham complex in Ujjain.
Why is the state asking residents to provide accommodation?
The scale of pilgrim arrivals expected during Simhastha 2028 is projected to exceed what state-managed infrastructure can accommodate. The Chief Minister emphasised that community participation would make the congregation grander and ease the logistical burden on official facilities.
What was the occasion at which CM Yadav made these announcements?
Yadav made the announcements after performing Govardhan Puja at Tilkeshwar Gaushala in Ujjain, where he also offered a chunari to a cow and conducted traditional worship rituals. He used the occasion to extend Diwali and Govardhan Puja greetings to the people of Madhya Pradesh.
