Mahabharat sites in Haryana to get face lift

Chandigarh, Aug 3 (UNI) Haryana Governor and Chairman of Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB), Dr A R Kidwai today said all the religious places and historical sites connected with the Mahabharat in five districts of the state would be developed as important heritage destinations.

Presiding over a meeting of the Board to discuss the development of places of pilgrimage situated within a distance of 48 Kms from Kurukshetra, the Governor said a master plan should be prepared for the development of these 'tirthas', '' on a short and long term basis''.

He said local committees with Deputy Commissioner of the istrict concerned and representative of KDB would be constituted for development, upkeep and maintenance, checking encroachment, beautification and landscaping for making the 'tirthas' sustainable. The voluntary organisations and the temple trusts should also be involved for the development of the 'tirthas', he suggsted at the meeting.

Mr Kidwai said a satellite imagery of the lost Saraswati River should be studied and the areas be demarcated in consultation with the Indian Space Research Organisation and Oil and Natural Gas Commission.

He also suggested that for creating beautiful ambience at the holy sites, each 'tirth' should have a retaining wall with provision of a foot path, plantation of seasonal flowers and shady trees, green belts and sitting arrangements for the people visiting these places.

Dr Kidwai said the sculptures of historical periods recovered from these sites be registered and preserved in a museum. Each site should also have a historical note to enable the people to know about the antiquity and significance of these places.

He also said each district should prepare a write up giving the historical background and documentation of the respective holy sites connected with the Mahabharat.

The Deputy Commissioners of the districts of Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal, Jind and Panipat were present in the meeting.They apprised the Governor of the condition of the existing 'tirthas' connected with the Mahabharat under their respective jurisdiction.

It was suggested in the meeting that the facilities for tourist buses be made available for the tourists and pilgrims visiting the Kurukshetra region. It was also suggested that a programme to train the local people as tourist guides be initiated by the Deputy Commissioner of Kurukshetra.

Member Secretary, Kurukshetra Development Board, Alok Nigam, Chief Executive Officer of the Board Mrs Renu Phulia and Mr Rajesh Purohit, of Sri Krishna Museum, Kurukshetra were also present in the meeting.

UNI HS PA RS1603