The Chief Minister's Office of Madhya Pradesh on Thursday, June 18, 2026, highlighted the state's 'Dev Lok' spiritual infrastructure projects, crediting 12 years of progress under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in making pilgrimage experiences across Madhya Pradesh grander and more divine.

Context

The post, shared by the official CMO Madhya Pradesh account, describes the 'Dev Lok' projects as a 'swarnima vistaar' (golden expansion) of faith, culture, and devotion. It credits PM Modi's guidance over 12 years for elevating the state's spiritual tourism infrastructure, tagging Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and the PMO in the announcement. The phrase 'aastha, sanskriti aur shraddha ka swarnima vistaar' — 'a golden expansion of faith, culture, and devotion' — frames the Dev Lok initiative as more than infrastructure: it positions these projects as a cultural and civilisational statement by the state government.

Policy Backdrop

The Dev Lok projects are state-level initiatives designed to modernise and expand temple complexes and pilgrimage facilities across Madhya Pradesh, with the goal of enhancing the visitor and devotee experience. The most prominent example is the Mahakaleshwar Temple corridor in Ujjain, inaugurated in 2022 through central-state collaboration, which transformed the precinct around one of India's 12 Jyotirlingas into a large-scale spiritual tourism destination. The broader policy context traces back to the Pradhan Mantri Darshan Vikas Yojana, launched in 2014-15, which identified religious sites nationwide for integrated tourism circuit development. Madhya Pradesh, home to major Jyotirlinga sites including Omkareshwar in addition to Ujjain, has been a key beneficiary of this national push to blend heritage conservation with pilgrimage-led economic growth.

Stakeholders and Impact

The primary beneficiaries of the Dev Lok projects are pilgrims and religious tourists who visit Madhya Pradesh's temple towns in large numbers each year. Ujjain alone draws millions of devotees annually, and the corridor redevelopment has significantly expanded the capacity and amenities available to visitors. The religious tourism sector — including hospitality, local trade, and transport — stands to gain from increased footfall driven by improved infrastructure. State authorities have consistently positioned these projects as engines of local economic growth, particularly for communities dependent on temple towns.

What's Next

Further phases of temple precinct upgrades at Ujjain and Omkareshwar are expected to follow, as the state government continues to expand the Dev Lok framework. Official pilgrim footfall data and project completion timelines are anticipated to be released as individual phases conclude. The CMO's communication signals that the state intends to keep spiritual infrastructure development at the centre of its governance narrative, particularly as it marks what it describes as 12 years of seva — service — under the BJP's watch in both the state and at the Centre.