KOLKATA: Madhya Pradesh Tourism is making a major infrastructure-led push to position Khajuraho as the fourth pillar of north India’s established Delhi-Agra-Jaipur tourism triangle, turning it into a broader quadrangular circuit aimed at both domestic and international travellers.The state has pitched Khajuraho under the Centre’s ‘One Destination, One State’ scheme, with a proposed funding support of around Rs 500 crore. Of this, about Rs 300 crore is expected to go into infrastructure development, while the remaining amount will support allied tourism activities, destination promotion and experience creation.Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Chhatarpur district, has long been one of Madhya Pradesh’s marquee destinations. Known for its medieval Hindu and Jain temples built by the Chandela dynasty between the 9th and 11th centuries, the site once had around 85 temples spread across 20 sq km. Around 25 survive today, including the famed Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, celebrated for its intricate sculptural detail and architectural richness.“The state’s plan now is to move Khajuraho beyond heritage tourism alone and develop it as a high-value experiential destination. A new tourism zone is being planned at Datla Pahar near Khajuraho, where the government has over 100 hectares of land. The proposed development includes hotels, adventure activities such as skydiving and hot-air ballooning, and other visitor facilities designed to extend tourist stays and increase spending in the region,” said Abhay Arvind Bedekar, additional managing director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board & commissioner, Archaeology, Archives & Museums, Bhopal.Improving connectivity is central to the strategy. MP Tourism is working to link Khajuraho more effectively with Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, using Khajuraho airport and improved road networks to bridge existing access gaps. The idea is to draw travellers already visiting the Golden Triangle and offer Khajuraho as a natural extension, especially for culture, heritage, luxury and experiential tourism.Before the pandemic, Khajuraho attracted over one lakh foreign tourists annually. Current foreign arrivals are estimated at around 35,000-40,000 a year, while domestic tourist numbers run into several lakhs. The government expects better air connectivity, stronger highway linkages and new tourism products to help revive international footfall and significantly expand domestic arrivals.The broader MP tourism story provides a strong base for this push. The state received around 21 crore tourists last year, with more than 60% of them travelling for spiritual tourism, particularly to Mahakaleshwar near Ujjain. Other major draws include Pachmarhi, the wildlife circuits of Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Pench, and spiritual destinations such as Mahakaleshwar and Omkareshwar.From West Bengal alone, Madhya Pradesh receives around one lakh tourists annually, underlining the state’s appeal in eastern India. Tourism officials are also looking to build on growing interest in rural tourism, homestays, MICE tourism and destination weddings.Around Khajuraho, the state has already developed nearby villages as rural tourism sites, creating opportunities for community-led experiences. Madhya Pradesh currently has about 860 registered homestays and plans to add another 140 this year.Khajuraho also has a base of premium hospitality infrastructure, including properties such as Radisson, Clarks, The Lalit, Chandela and Mint Bundela, along with luxury offerings connected to palace tourism such as Rajgarh Palace. The state sees scope for more branded hotels and high-end stays as the destination expands.The tourism department is also strengthening the MICE and wedding segments across Madhya Pradesh. A 2,000-capacity convention facility is being developed in Bhopal, while a larger 6,000-capacity convention centre is planned at Satgarhi near Bhopal under the smart city framework.With its heritage appeal, airport access, upcoming infrastructure, rural tourism base, adventure potential and proximity to major northern tourism routes, Khajuraho is being positioned as the anchor of Madhya Pradesh’s next phase of tourism growth. The state’s ambition is clear: to convert the Golden Triangle into a Golden Quadrangle, with Khajuraho as the cultural and experiential gateway to central India.
