Sufi Circuit to boost tourism in UP

Lucknow, Jun 4: While Bollywood has discovered a surefire formula in Sufi music to attract the audience, the Uttar Pradesh Tourism department has also decided to cash in on the mystic appeal of Sufism.

The state government is planning to develop a Sufi Circuit to boost tourism and harness potential in the sector.

Official sources today said it is one of the eight Circuits being planned by UP government viz Jain Circuit, Christian Circuit, Mahabharat Circuit, Ram Van Gaman Circuit, Sikh Circuit, Handicraft Circuit and an exclusive Circuits of Places associated with the First Freedom Struggle of 1857.

Interestingly, a Sufi music fest is also being organised here on June 21 and 22. The event will be put together by UP Sangeet Natak Akademi and Indian Council for Cultural Research (ICCR).

Renowned Sufi singers from India and Pakistan are scheduled to perform during the two-day extravaganza.

''There are great avenues of Medical Tourism also in UP, which entail providing proper facilities to those visiting the state for treatment.'' Sources claimed there are multi-dimensional tourism attractions in UP with immense possibilities of private capital investment in the sector.

According to an estimate, one out of every four foreign tourists and one out of every four Indian tourists visit UP. ''These Circuits are aimed at utilising the maximum potential of tourism infrastructure available in UP,'' sources added.

A study of these Circuits is being conducted, following which the scheme of their development and implementation will be chalked out.

At present, there are seven Tourism Circuits in UP: Buddhist Circuit, Lucknow-Awadh Circuit, Varanasi-Vindhyachal Circuit, Brij (Agra-Mathura) Circuit, Jal Vihar Circuit, Van-Jati Eco-Courageous Circuit.

Sources informed that efforts were being made to provide basic facilties such as road, water, power, catering and accommodation in the existing Circuits.

The department also proposed to develop Sub-Circuits linking main Circuits to provide more facilities to the backpackers.

UNI