Shekhawat attends Devshri Bhumi bhoomi pujan in Karjat
Synopsis
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat attended the bhoomi pujan and foundation-laying of the Devshri Bhumi Project at Shantikshetra Premgiri Ashram in Karjat, Maharashtra, on June 21, 2026. The project is dedicated to spiritual consciousness, human welfare, and community development.
Key Takeaways
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat , Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, attended the bhoomi pujan of the Devshri Bhumi Project on June 21, 2026 .
The event was held at Shantikshetra Premgiri Ashram in Karjat, Raigad district, Maharashtra .
The project is described as dedicated to spiritual consciousness, human welfare, and community development .
Karjat is situated near Mumbai and is known for hosting ashrams and spiritual centres in hilly terrain.
The minister's participation aligns with the central government's broader focus on pilgrimage infrastructure and spiritual tourism .
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat participated in the bhoomi pujan and foundation-laying ceremony of the Devshri Bhumi Project at Shantikshetra Premgiri Ashram in Karjat, Maharashtra, on Sunday, June 21, 2026. The minister attended the event at the ashram, which is situated in the hilly terrain of Raigad district near Mumbai.
Context
Shekhawat shared his participation on social media, writing in Hindi: 'Aaj Shantikshetra Premgiri Ashram, Karjat (Maharashtra) mein Devshri Bhumi Pariyojana ke bhoomi pujan evam shilanyas karyakram mein sahbhagita ki.' ('Today I participated in the bhoomi pujan and foundation-laying programme of the Devshri Bhumi Project at Shantikshetra Premgiri Ashram, Karjat, Maharashtra.') He described the initiative as dedicated to spiritual consciousness, human welfare, and community development.
Karjat is a town in Raigad district known for its hilly landscape and has historically hosted several ashrams and spiritual retreats in proximity to the Mumbai metropolitan region.
Policy Backdrop
Central government ministers, particularly from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, have periodically participated in land consecration and foundation-laying events for spiritual and cultural projects across India. Such events align with the government's stated emphasis on promoting intangible heritage, pilgrimage infrastructure, and spiritual tourism.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism under Shekhawat has maintained a focus on integrating India's spiritual and religious heritage with broader tourism development frameworks, including in states like Maharashtra that carry significant pilgrimage and heritage tourism potential.
Stakeholders and Impact
The Devshri Bhumi Project is positioned as an initiative combining spiritual, welfare, and community development goals. The primary stakeholders include the spiritual community associated with Shantikshetra Premgiri Ashram and local residents of the Karjat region.
A senior Union minister's presence at the foundation-laying lends the project national visibility and signals potential interest from central cultural and tourism authorities. The Karjat region, given its accessibility from Mumbai, holds scope for development as a spiritual tourism destination.
What's Next
Observers will watch for any formal announcements from the Ministry of Culture regarding recognition or funding support for the Devshri Bhumi Project. Maharashtra's state-level tourism development plans for the Raigad district and the Karjat region may also come into sharper focus following the minister's high-profile participation.
The event reflects a broader pattern of central cultural ministry engagement with grassroots spiritual and community projects, and any follow-up policy or infrastructure support would indicate the depth of that commitment.
Point of View
Signalling the Centre's intent to remain visible in the state's spiritual and community development space. The event fits a consistent pattern under the current government of deploying cultural ministry presence to bridge religious sentiment with welfare narratives. For Shekhawat, whose ministry oversees both tangible heritage and intangible cultural assets, such engagements build a portfolio that extends beyond museums and monuments. Whether this translates into formal ministry support for the Devshri Bhumi Project will be a telling indicator of how deep the Centre's engagement with such grassroots spiritual initiatives actually runs.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Devshri Bhumi Project in Karjat?
The Devshri Bhumi Project is an initiative at Shantikshetra Premgiri Ashram in Karjat, Maharashtra, described as dedicated to spiritual consciousness, human welfare, and community development. Its bhoomi pujan and foundation-laying were held on June 21, 2026.
Why did Gajendra Singh Shekhawat attend the Karjat ashram event?
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat participated in the bhoomi pujan of the Devshri Bhumi Project as part of his engagement with spiritual and community development initiatives, which align with the ministry's focus on cultural heritage and pilgrimage infrastructure.
Where is Shantikshetra Premgiri Ashram located?
Shantikshetra Premgiri Ashram is located in Karjat, a town in Raigad district, Maharashtra, situated near Mumbai and known for its hilly terrain and spiritual centres.
What does bhoomi pujan mean?
Bhoomi pujan is a traditional Hindu ground-breaking or land consecration ceremony performed before the construction of a building or the launch of a project, involving prayers and rituals to seek divine blessings for the endeavour.
What is Gajendra Singh Shekhawat's role in the Union Cabinet?
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is the Union Minister of Culture and Tourism in the Indian Cabinet. He is a senior BJP leader and Lok Sabha MP from Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
