Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

The Balaji Sewarth Vinod Agarwal Foundation, under the leadership of Shri Vinod Agarwal, has established the Chameli Devi Agarwal Annakshetra Bhawan near the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain—a visionary project spanning 51,000 sq ft.
Inaugurated by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and graced by dignitaries including Ministers Jagdish Devda, Bhupendra Singh, and Dr. Mohan Yadav, the Bhawan is designed to serve 10,000 pilgrims daily, with its two-level dining hall accommodating up to 2,600 people per sitting .

Purpose-built with modern infrastructure, the Annakshetra features:
• A fully automated kitchen, with technology imported from Coimbatore, Chennai, Ahmedabad, and other locations, enabling automated preparation of vegetables, chapatis, pulses, and washing of utensils.
• Environment-friendly operations using CNG and electric power, aligning with the foundation’s eco-conscious vision.
• Comfort-focused amenities such as air-conditioned dining halls, two lifts, and continuous hot food service throughout the day.

The foundation of this Annakshetra was set with foresight, anticipating a rise in pilgrim footfall following the Mahakal Lok corridor expansion. Led by Ujjain Collector Kumar Purushottam and Temple Administrator Sandeep Soni—and guided by national best practices in food service architecture—the facility mirrors top-tier “Anna Dharm” centres in Coimbatore, Chennai, and Ahmedabad.

More than just a place to eat, the Annakshetra embodies dignity, devotion, and technological excellence—offering nourishing meals to the soul as much as to the body. It stands as a modern-day sanctuary, paying homage to spiritual traditions while serving the evolving needs of pilgrims with care, efficiency, and respect.