HP to install ropeway at Himani Chamunda shrine

Shimla, Aug 21 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh Government is planning to connect the ancient Himani Chamunda shrine with ropeway to provide devotees an opportunity to offer their obeisance conveniently besides giving a boost to religious tourism in the state.

This was stated by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal while presiding over the Temple Committee meeting held here today.

''Himani Chamunda is one of the prominent shrines, but it is beyond the reach for most of the devotees since they are required to travel on foot a distance of about 14 kms uphill to reach the main shrine. With the construction of the ropeway the access to the venue would be convenient to the devotees while adventure tourists would also be benefitted with covering distance to start their trekking, hiking, mountaineering,'' he said.

He said that the area was renowned for trekking and mountain climbing and it would gain more popularity with the creation of quality infrastructure.

He added that the state government had formulated a plan to construct a trek route connecting the shrine under the tourism promotion activities.

Mr Dhumal said that the state government had constituted a High Power Temple Committee consisting of prominent people of the state with a view to advise the state government for managing the temple affairs more effectively and create more facilities for the visitors.

UNI XC PS RL AS1720