Haryana to develop ancient places of pilgrimage

Kurukshetra, Mar 14 (UNI) Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today said that the State Government has formulated special plans for the development of ancient places of pilgrimage under which the 'Saraswati Tirtha' at Pehowa would be developed by the State Tourism Department and Kurukshetra Development Board.

The Chief Minister, who was releasing water at Saraswati Tirtha at Pehowa in Kurukshetra district today, said that the road from Pehowa to Kurukshetra-Haridwar would be four laned to felicitate the pilgrims.

He said that it was neccessary to renovate ancient places of pilgrimage. Traces of Saraswati river have also been found at Kalayat in district Kaithal, therefore, this place would also be developed,'' he added.

Mr Hooda said that Government would make all efforts to maintain the basic identity of Saraswati. He said that in the era of Mahabharata, Yudishtar had visited this place to perform 'Pind Dan'' for his ancestors.

Earlier, Mr Hooda also inaugurated a ghat, which got constructed by Member of Parliament Navin Jindal in the memory of his father, late O P Jindal at Saraswati Tirtha.

He also announced to give Rs 25 lakh out of his discretionary funds for renovation of Saraswati Tirtha.

Haryana Agriculture Minister H S Chhatha criticised the previous government for issuing orders to take over temples, contrary to the feelings of the people. But the government led by Mr Hooda has withdrawn these orders, he added.

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