Centre approves 'Mahabharat Tourist Circuit'

Lucknow, Sep 5 (UNI) The Uttar Pradesh government has received the Centre's approval for funding the ambitious 'Mahabharat Tourist Circuit', which would be developed at places related to that era.

Hastinapur, Baghpat and Bijnore are some of the places, mainly in western parts of UP, which historically could be linked to Mahabharat.

''The Government of India has sanctioned Rs eight crore for the scheme, which would be launched when the amount reaches here possibly by next month,'' UP tourism minister Kokab Hamid told reporters here.

''The places -- where pandavas stayed or Lord Krishna gave his Gita sermons -- would help promote tourism in UP.'' The Mahabharat Circuit would also include Sinauli, a place in the Western UP, where the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had conducted an excavation and found places related to Vedic Age, he said.

Mr Hamid said domestic as well as foreign tourists were always mesmerised by the spirituality and religion in India and the development of Mahabharat Circuit would give them more options.

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