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India’s Spiritual Tourism Set for Transformation as Ujjain Welcomes Global Leaders at PHDCCI Conclave

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August 25, 2025

Ujjain, known as the city of Mahakal, will host the 2nd Global Spiritual Tourism Conclave, Romantic, on 27 August 2025 at Hotel Anjushree, positioned to be a leader of the innovation in the spiritual tourism sector. The conclave is organized by The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) in association with The Ministry of Tourism , Government of India and Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board. The conclave is aimed at defining the future of India’s spiritual tourism by bringing together spiritual leaders, policymakers, tourism experts, and innovators of the industry.

The opening session will witness an assembly of eminent leaders, featuring Dr. Mohan Yadav, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, as the Chief Guest, alongside Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism and Culture, Government of India, serving as the Guest of Honour. Gauranga Das Prabhu will open the conclave with a keynote address, sharing deep reflections on the power of faith and the transformative nature of devotion.

Senior leaders, including Mr. Suman Billa (IAS), Additional Secretary & Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, and Mr. Sheo Shekhar Shukla (IAS), Principal Secretary – Tourism, Madhya Pradesh, will provide insights on harmonizing policy frameworks, infrastructure development, and cultural initiatives to support the expansion of India’s spiritual tourism sector. A key highlight will be the launch of the PHDCCI-KPMG report, ‘Faith & Flow: Navigating Crowds in India’s Sacred Spaces’, presenting a comprehensive study on how devotional travel is influencing India’s economic growth, cultural heritage, and global tourism standing.

The conclave also features a high-level Government-Industry Roundtable chaired by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, providing a platform for corporates and PHDCCI members to collaborate on strengthening spiritual tourism infrastructure, promoting local culture, and fostering responsible hospitality practices.

Throughout the day, several engaging sessions will explore diverse dimensions of spiritual tourism:

Temple Economies: Where Faith Meets Livelihood – This session, led by Mr. Samit Garg, President of the Event & Entertainment Management Association, will feature Mr. Pratham Kaushik, Administrator of Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple; Mr. Vishwa Bhushan Mishra, CEO, Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust; and Mr. Prashant Mukund Das, Senior Counsellor for ISKCON, discussing how spiritual circuits contribute to local economies and sustain livelihoods.

Mahakal’s Mandala Ujjain Blending Sacred Heritage with Urban Innovation – Guided by Dr. Ilayaraja T, MD of MP Tourism Development Corporation, alongside Mr. Raushan K Singh, Collector & DM of Ujjain, and Mr. Atul Singh, MD of MP Incoming, this session will delve into how Ujjain preserves its spiritual legacy while embracing modern urban planning and pioneering tourism strategies.

Mahakal’s Mandala: Mind, Body and Spirit Wellness as India’s Emerging Spiritual Tourism Frontier – Moderated by Ms. Shalini S Sharma, Assistant Secretary General of PHDCCI, this session brings together wellness pioneers Dr. Rekha Chaudhari, Chef Manjit Gill, and Dr. Manoj Kutteri to examine how Ayurveda, yoga, and holistic well-being can be seamlessly woven into India’s spiritual travel experiences.

Digital Devotion – Spirituality 2.0 – Led by Mr. Aalap Bansal, Partner at KPMG India, this session brings together pioneering technology experts to discuss how innovations like virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and online platforms are transforming the way devotees experience and engage with spiritual destinations. The panel includes visionary leaders Mr. Prashant Kumar Mishra, Mr. Prashant Sachan, and Mr. Aacharya Dev.

Protectors of the Sacred Path – The Jyotirlinga Journey – Dr. Dinesh Soni will showcase an in-depth case study exploring the profound spiritual and cultural importance of India’s twelve Jyotirlingas, highlighting their pivotal influence on faith-driven tourism.

Delegates will conclude the conclave with a guided visit to Shri Mahakaleshwar and Kal Bhairav Temples, experiencing Ujjain’s spiritual essence firsthand.

Various industry and government partners support the conclave including E-Factor Experiences, Sri Mandir APP, IRCTC, Mann Fleet Partners, KPMG, Indore Talk, Hotel Anjushree and Association of Domestic Indian Association of Domestic Tour Operators, Federation of Hotels and Restaurants of India, National Tour Operators Alliance, and India Travel Agents Network.



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Travel slump: June sees a dip in number of Indian visitors in US; first decline since 2001 | India News

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NEW DELHI: The desi peak outbound travel month of June saw a decline in the number of Indian visitors to the US in 2025 over the previous year for the first time this Millennium — barring the Covid period. With 2.1 lakh Indians headed to America in June, the number was 8% lower than 2.3 lakh in same month last year, according to data from US commerce dept’s National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO). The provisional figure for this July shows 5.5% fall over same month last year.Overall, the US has been seeing a decline in international visitors — and not just from India — in recent months. NTTO says total non-US resident international visitor volume to the US decreased 6.2% in June 2025 over June 2024; 7% in May; 8% in March; 1.9% in Feb. This Jan saw 4.7% increase over same period last year and April was up 1.3%.

Indians With Valid US Visas Can Now Easily Travel To Argentina Without Needing Any Additional Visa

India is the fourth largest source market for international visitors for the US. Since the two biggest source markets — Mexico and Canada — share a land border, India is the second biggest overseas source market with the UK being the biggest. “Combined, these top five source markets (with Brazil being the fifth) accounted for 59.4% of total international arrivals” this June, says NTTO.While travel industry biggies here say it is too early to pin the blame for fall in Indian visitor numbers on the stricter visa regime adopted by President Trump in his second presidency which has seen souring of India-US ties, the impact could be more pronounced going ahead if the same continues. The reason: US mostly issues 10-year validity multiple entry visitor and business visas (B1/B2) so people who already have the same can keep travelling. But if new visas get impacted for reasons like long appointment time or stricter issuance norms, then with a time lag the impact will be visible.“We are seeing a very visible impact on student segment this year due to delay in visa issuance even after people securing college admission. Historically, the biggest categories of visitors headed from India to the US have been visiting friends & relatives (VFR), business and students. The US was never a top leisure destination for Indians. That space has been led by Southeast Asia, Middle East and Europe. North America came after that. Right now apart from students we are not seeing a dramatic impact on the other segments but if new visa issuances are affected, they will also be hit with a certain time lag,” said a leading travel agent.With an Indian diaspora of over 50 lakh, the US sees great demand for travel from the India. NTTO data shows since the start of this Millennium, every June had seen a jump from same month in last year till 2025 broke that trend.April was a great month as far as outbound from India is concerned. According to Indian tourism ministry data, 29 lakh Indians travelled abroad this April with the maximum going to the UAE followed by Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Singapore and the US.“But after May and June, travel was severely impacted following the Pehelgam terror attack, closure of Pakistan airspace (which continues for Indian carriers & vice versa) and then the Air India Ahmedabad crash. So every destination, especially in the west, was impacted badly. The drop to the US may not be in isolation as fast as western destinations go,” said another travel biggie.





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Putin to travel to India in December; visit to focus on defence and energy ties

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Russian President Vladimir Putin will make an official visit to India in December, marking his first trip to the country since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, according to a report by AFP citing Kremlin officials.

The visit comes at a time of heightened tension between New Delhi and Washington, as U.S. President Donald Trump escalates pressure on India over its ongoing oil trade with Moscow. Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced an additional 25 percent tariff on Indian goods, bringing the total import duty to 50 percent. The U.S. has accused India of indirectly funding Russia’s war effort through discounted crude purchases.

India has strongly rejected the accusations and called the new tariffs hypocritical and unjust. Officials in New Delhi have emphasised that their oil procurement decisions are guided by market dynamics and national interest. India has also highlighted that several other major economies, including countries in Europe, continue to maintain significant trade ties with Russia but have not been targeted with similar penalties.

The Kremlin had initially announced that Putin had accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit India earlier this year, but a date had not been confirmed. News of the December visit follows an upcoming bilateral meeting between Modi and Putin, scheduled to take place on September 1 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.

As India’s relationship with the U.S. faces new strains, its ties with Russia and China appear to be strengthening. The upcoming visit is expected to focus on bolstering cooperation across several sectors, including defence, energy, and trade.

Russia remains a key strategic and defence partner for India, with a relationship that dates back to the Soviet era. Moscow has publicly supported India amid U.S. tariff actions, calling the American measures “unjustified” and accusing Washington of “double standards.”

The Russian embassy recently stated, “If Indian goods cannot go to the U.S. market, they are welcome to Russia.”

 



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Weekly Horoscope Pisces, August 31-September 6, 2025: Work-related travel is foreseen | Astrology

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Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20)

Weekly Horoscope Prediction says, avoid controversies

Look for happy moments in love and ensure you take up new roles at the office. Do not invest blindly and instead have a proper investment plan. Health is good.

Pisces Weekly Horoscope: Read our expert astrological predictions to find out what the stars have in store for you. (Freepik)

Be fair in your love life and consider taking risks at work. Despite the prosperity, you should be careful about the expenditure. Health is also on your side.

Pisces Love Horoscope This Week

Your relationship will be creative, but there may also be minor issues that demand attention. You should be ready to discuss the issues to settle them. Do not impose your concepts on the lover and instead provide the space to personally express your opinions. This will strengthen the relationship. You may also patch up with the ex-lover who had broken up on ego issues. Married females may get pregnant in the second half of the week.

Pisces Career Horoscope This Week

Pay attention to the details while handling a project. Be ready to face minor issues while settling professional issues, and clients must also be convinced about certain flaws or missing points in a project. Artists, authors, actors, musicians, and politicians will see more opportunities to prove their mettle. You may visit the client’s office, and your communication skills will be a major factor in winning a new contract. Some professionals will travel for job reasons and perhaps even to places abroad. The commitment, discipline, and integrity are unmatched.

Pisces Money Horoscope This Week

Wealth will be there, but you may have issues related to investments, especially in the stock market. Some females will win a part of the property through legal battle. Senior natives can also consider the division of property in the first half of the week. Businessmen will raise funds through promoters, while you may also expect good returns from the business. Avoid lending a large amount, as you may have issues getting it back.

Pisces Health Horoscope This Week

If you make any travel plans, try to go out to places that would make you feel more relaxed and rejuvenated. Female natives need to be careful about pain in joints, breathing issues, and migraine. Pregnant females need relief from office stress and should consider taking leave for a few days. Avoid heavy exercise and be careful while boarding a train or bus. It is good to be careful about the diet.

Pisces Sign Attributes

  • Strength: Conscious, Aesthetic, Kind-hearted
  • Weakness: Sentimental, Indecisive, Unrealistic
  • Symbol: Fish
  • Element: Water
  • Body Part: Blood Circulation
  • Sign Ruler: Neptune
  • Lucky Day: Thursday
  • Lucky Color: Purple
  • Lucky Number: 11
  • Lucky Stone: Yellow Sapphire

Pisces Sign Compatibility Chart

  • Natural affinity: Taurus, Cancer, Scorpio, Capricorn
  • Good compatibility: Virgo, Pisces
  • Fair compatibility: Aries, Leo, Libra, Aquarius
  • Less compatibility: Gemini, Sagittarius

By: Dr. J. N. Pandey

Vedic Astrology & Vastu Expert

Website: www.astrologerjnpandey.com

E-mail: djnpandey@gmail.com

Phone: 91-9811107060 (WhatsApp Only)



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