The State Government is planning to launch a Rs 300-crore scheme for the convenience of devotees visiting Ujjain for darshan of Mahakal. A three-member committee of Cabinet ministers will be constituted to finalise plans for the expansion of Mahakal temple and improving the existing arrangements there. A proposal to amend the Mahakal Temple Act will also be placed before the Cabinet for discussion.

The Chief Minister gave instructions while chairing a meeting convened here at the Mantralaya to discuss maximising facilities for devotees at Mahakal Temple and improving existing arrangements. The Chief Minister said that the scheme should be strictly time-bound and time limit for every proposed work should be strictly adhered to. The progress will be monitored by the Chief Secretary, he added.

The Chief Minister said that Madhya Pradesh is known across the world for Lord Mahakal. He stressed on planned development of the place of faith. He said that apart from having darshan of Mahakal, the devotees must have facilities in Ujjain city where they can stay and know the religious, spiritual cultural importance like mythological stories associated with the temple. This will also help develop the city. The Chief Minister said that special attention should be taken to ensure that the original structure of the Mahakal temple is untouched during expansion and improvement.

The three-member committee of Cabinet ministers will include in-charge of Ujjain district and Minister of Public Works, Sajjan Singh Verma, Minister of Department of Spirituality PC Sharma and Minister for Urban Development Jaivardhan Singh. This committee will hold consultations with those associated with various arrangements at Mahakal temple before finalising development and expansion plans.

The Chief Minister directed the committee to hold a meeting in the next three days. He also directed the committee members to put up a proposal for amendment to Mahakal Temple Act by the Cabinet this month and finalize the plans for development of Mahakal Temple by September end.

The development and expansion plans of Mahakal temple presented before the Chief Minister Kamal Nath mainly include increasing the facilities for devotees, the entry and exit, frontier yard, extension of Nandi Hall, Mahakal theme park, Mahakal corridor, lawn parking etc. There will be development and construction of Maharaj Bada, Complex, Kumbh Museum, display of various stories related to Mahakal, Food Zone, Dharamshala, Landscaping of Rudrasagar, Beautification of Ramghat Marg, Tourism Information Centre, Revival of Rudra Sagar Lake, Hari Phatak Bridge, pilgrim facilities and other facilities also in the second phase.

The priest of Mahakal temple present at the meeting, Ashish Pujari expressed happiness over the proposed plans and thanked the Chief Minister on behalf of other priests and devotees. The priests of Mahakal temple honoured the Chief Minister Kamal Nath by presenting him a shawl and shriphal and gave him the prasad of Lord Mahakal.