Gandhinagar: The Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre (MMCEC) in the state capital, long associated with high-profile government and corporate events, is set to open its doors for weddings, religious gatherings, and other social functions, according to a media report.

The convention centre has hosted marquee events such as the biennial Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, attracting global leaders and investors. However, the facility remains underutilised for a significant part of the year due to an existing policy that restricts bookings largely to government and corporate events, an official told The Times of India.

To maximise utilisation, the state government has now decided to allow the venue to be rented for weddings and religious functions. Constructed at an approximate cost of ₹215 crore and inaugurated in 2011, the centre is among the largest convention facilities in the country.

As per the report, The Leela Group, which currently manages the property, has been tasked with preparing a comprehensive marketing roadmap. The state government will also undertake targeted branding efforts to promote the convention centre as an iconic wedding destination.

The move aligns with the state government’s recently announced ‘Wed in Gujarat’ initiative. While presenting the 2026–27 state budget earlier this month, Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai unveiled plans to position Gujarat as a premier destination wedding hub by leveraging its religious heritage, coastline, desert landscape, and landmark attractions. DeshGujarat