Urges Govt to ensure upkeep, renovation of heritage temples
DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
Anantnag, June 25
Kavinder Gupta, senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister, highlighted the immense potential of religious tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, stating it is a significant contributor to the Union Territory’s economy.
He made these remarks while paying obeisance at the ancient Martandey Surya Temple in Mattan, Anantnag district.
Kavinder said, “Religious shrines are a rich part of our cultural heritage. Jammu and Kashmir boasts numerous well-ornamented ancient temples. However, the lack of proper maintenance and conservation has left many of these temples in a dilapidated state. These jewels of our architectural heritage need proper repair and maintenance to be developed into religious tourism destinations.”
Kavinder emphasized that the Jammu and Kashmir is abundant with sites of religious significance and tourist attractions, which hold great potential for both pilgrimage and sightseeing tourism. “These places need to be leveraged for tourism to unlock their full potential,” he added.
He recommended the expansion of facilities for pilgrims and the promotion of infrastructure projects to enhance connectivity within the different regions of Jammu and Kashmir. “A focused strategy and targeted initiatives are required to fully exploit the tourism potential in the Union Territory,” he said.
Highlighting the Prasad Scheme initiated by the Modi government, Kavinder noted that it has been instrumental in the integrated development of pilgrimage destinations across Jammu and Kashmir. “The Prasad Scheme has provided a significant boost to religious tourism by improving infrastructure, connectivity, and facilities at key pilgrimage sites. Such initiatives should be extended to the Union Territory to further promote our rich religious and cultural heritage,” he remarked.
The senior BJP leader urged the government to undertake restoration work on all such temples that are in poor condition and require upkeep. Additionally, he appealed to the concerned authorities to compile a list of all places that can be developed for religious tourism.
Later, the former deputy Chief Minister interacted with the management committee of the Martandey Surya Temple, including Ashok Kumar Sidha, President of Martand Tirath Trust, T.K. Tickoo, General Secretary, B.B. Sadhu, Senior Vice President, and Bansi Lal Mukhi, Vice President.
