Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh government will develop places associated with Lord Ram and Lord Krishna in the state as pilgrimage sites, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said.

He said the government has also decided to build welcome gates dedicated to these deities at the entry points of the state capital Bhopal.

An official said that CM Yadav issued instructions to this effect during the review meeting of the Culture and Tourism Department on Friday.

"The Madhya Pradesh government will identify places associated with Lord Ram and Lord Krishna in the state and develop them as pilgrimage sites," Yadav said.

He directed the department to set up welcome gates dedicated to Lord Ram and Lord Krishna at the entry points of Bhopal city and also planned to set up entry gates dedicated to 11th century Paramara dynasty king Raja Bhoj and the great King Vikramaditya. There is mention of king in Indian literature.

Yadav also directed officials to create entry gates at the state borders so that people can know about Madhya Pradesh's culture and places of religious importance, the official said.

The Chief Minister asked the administration to make a plan to develop religious places to promote religious tourism.

The department was also asked to prepare an action plan to celebrate Geeta Mahotsav on Manas Jayanti in the state to spread Indian culture and philosophy among the common people in the state.

Yadav said places associated with Lord Ram and Lord Krishna should be developed with the help of local elected representatives.

He said that the number of tourists is increasing in the state and stressed the need for branding of tourist destinations.

The CM told the officials that local products and religious tourism should be promoted through various museums.