Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Dr Mohan Yadav on Wednesday offered prayers at the world-famous Maa Sharda Temple in Maihar and said the construction of Maa Sharda Lok would give a major push to religious tourism while creating new employment opportunities for local people.
CM Dr Yadav visited the revered temple in Maihar on August 19 and performed the traditional rituals before seeking the blessings of Maa Sharda. He prayed for the happiness, prosperity and well-being of the people of Madhya Pradesh.
MP CM Dr Yadav paying obeisance to the Goddess
CM inspects temple arrangements
Following the prayers, the temple management and district administration honoured the Chief Minister by presenting him with a portrait of Maa Sharda.
CM Dr Yadav also inspected arrangements at the temple complex and took detailed information about facilities available to devotees. He reviewed the arrangements for darshan and enquired about measures being taken to ensure a smooth and convenient experience for pilgrims visiting the shrine.
The visit comes as work on the ambitious Maa Sharda Lok project is under way in Maihar, a major pilgrimage centre that attracts devotees from Madhya Pradesh as well as other parts of the country.
‘Maa Sharda’s blessings remain upon the people’
Speaking on the occasion, CM Dr Yadav described Maihar as a prominent centre of faith for devotees across the state and the country.
He prayed that the blessings of Maa Sharda would always remain upon the people of Madhya Pradesh and that the state would continue to move ahead on the path of development and progress.
Another still from CM Dr Yadav's visit to the temple
The Chief Minister said the construction of Maa Sharda Lok would significantly increase religious tourism in Maihar. According to him, the expected rise in pilgrim footfall would generate employment opportunities for local residents and strengthen the district’s economy.
“Maa Sharda’s blessings should always remain upon the people of the state, and Madhya Pradesh should continue progressing on the path of development and prosperity,” CM Dr Yadav said.
He added that the development of the pilgrimage destination would not only enhance the religious importance of Maihar but also provide an economic boost to the local community.
With the Maa Sharda Lok project taking shape, the state government expects Maihar to emerge as an even more prominent destination for religious tourism, with improved facilities for pilgrims and greater economic opportunities for people living in the region.