Chhattisgarh Launches Shaktipeeth Project To Boost Religious Tourism
Chhattisgarh has earmarked ₹5 crore for a 1,000-km religious tourism corridor linking five major shrines under its Shaktipeeth Project
The Chhattisgarh government has launched the ‘Shaktipeeth Project’, modelled after the Char Dham in Uttarakhand, to boost religious tourism in the state.
The project, the first of its kind religious tourism proposal in the state, has been announced on the occasion of the Dasara festival, officials said on Thursday.
Under the project, a spiritual and religious tourism corridor spanning approximately 1,000 km is being developed, a spokesman of the Chhattisgarh government said.
The project envisages development of major ancient ‘Shaktipeeths’ in the state with their beautification and expansion of infrastructure.
Essential amenities such as easy access roads, drinking water, lighting, sanitation, resting places and security will be developed at these ‘Shaktipeeths’.
Five famous ‘Shaktipeeths’ in the state are going to be developed under the project, christened as ‘Chhattisgarh Astha Path’ scheme.
The state government has earmarked an initial budget of Rs five crore for the project.
The proposed ‘Shaktipeeth Circuit’, being developed under the project, comprises Mahamaya Shrine in Ratanpur, Chandrahasni temple in Chandrapur, Bamleshwar shrine in Dongargarh, Danteshwari temple in Dantewada, and Kudargarh temple in Surajpur.
Meanwhile, under the Central government’s PRASHAD scheme, two ancient shrines of Danteshwari in Dantewada district in south Bastar and Mahamaya in Ratanpur under Bilaspur district have been chosen for their development.
Action plans for the development of these sites under the scheme have been submitted to the Centre.
Under the PRASHA scheme, the Centre has identified 26 religious sites in the country in the first phase for their development.