World Heritage site for Kamakhya: Union Tourism

Guwahati, Jul 6: The Union Tourism ministry has urged the Unesco to accord World Heritage status to Kamakhya Temple, perched atop Nilachal hills on the bank of Brahmaputra, a pilgirage site and Asoms'famous hub for travellers.

The ministry has requested the Unesco to enlist the ancient temple, which is a must visit destination for almost all the tourists coming to this part of the country, so that its rating as a global tourism site goes up.

An official source informed that Kamakhya Temple along with a Buddhist monastery in Arunachal Pradesh form the core of Tourism Ministry's latest blueprint to market globally places of religious and cultural importance in Northeast.

The famous shrine attracts average 4,00,000 tourists and pilgrims annualy from home and abroad, particularly from Nepal. Out of these, average 3,00,000 devotees throng the place of worship during the mega fair held on occasion of Ambubachi---during which the presiding deity, the Goddess Kamakhya, is believed to undergo her annual menstrual period during the month of June.

The temple trust and authority, the district administration and Asom tourism establishments face a tough task every year to tackle the rush of visitors during Ambubachi.

Lack of permanent facilities for amenities like drinking water, sanitation, accommodation and inadeqauate power supply cause troubles for travellers.

UNI