UP to embark on 'secular tourism' via Sufi Circuit
Jaunpur, Apr 13 (UNI) Embarking on a unique initiative of secular tourism, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to develop a Sufi Tourist Circuit, connecting all major sites associated with Sufism in the state.
The 'mazars' of Sufi Saints like Deva Shariff in Barabanki district are frequented by people from all religious affiliations, and developing prominent sites of Sufism will attract tourists from all communities, UP Minister of Tourism Kokab Hamid said here today.
The Sufi Circuit plan, to be launched soon, will not only help increas tourist inflow to the state, but also ensure the maintainance of the Sufi sites, which were growing old, he added.
Mr Hamid further said Rs 150 crore have been provided by the Centre for tourism development in UP, to be matched by identical provision from the state government during the current fiscal.
Out of this, Rs 30 crore each will be spent on makeover of heritage buildings in Agra and Varanasi.
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