Madhya Pradesh
Ahilya Lok’ Project
- 22 Dec 2025
- 2 min read
Why in News?
The Madhya Pradesh government has announced the development of ‘Ahilya Lok’, a major cultural and heritage project on the Narmada river banks in Maheshwar.
Key Points
- Project Purpose: ‘Ahilya Lok’ is being developed to honour Ahilya Bai Holkar’s legacy and enhance tourism and cultural identity in Maheshwar.
- Location & Site: The project will be set up along the Narmada River in Maheshwar.
- Investment: Estimated cost of the project is Rs 110 crore.
- Cultural & Artisan Spaces: A haat bazaar with live weaving demonstrations and artisan zones will promote Maheshwar’s traditional crafts.
- Visitor Amenities: The campus will feature landscaped gardens, riverfront pathways, public engagement zones, and curated experiences aimed at enhancing tourism and visitor engagement.
- Ahilya Bai Holkar: Ahilya Bai Holkar (1725–1795) was a renowned ruler of the Holkar dynasty of Malwa, governed from the capital Maheshwar on the banks of the Narmada River.
- Role in Cultural Patronage: She patronised and restored major temples and ghats across India, including Kashi Vishwanath, Somnath, Dwarka, and Rameswaram, promoting national cultural integration.
- National Commemoration: Recently, 300th birth anniversary of Lokmata Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar was celebrated nationally on 31 May 2025.
