Uttarakhand tourism to train spotlight on ancient temples

Uttarakhand Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj is keen to develop the ancient temples in the state and promote tourism around the same. He conducted a meeting with the Uttarakhand Tourism Board (UTDB) to discuss the same as well as the possibility of developing a temple circuit for tourists. He also expressed that he would soon be getting in touch with imminent Bollywood filmmakers and urge them to make films and projects that are centered around Uttarakhand's famous personalities.

It has to be noted that religious tourism is a major source of revenue for the state tourism industry. More so since Uttarakhand is also home to the much-revered Char Dhams; Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, the four central points for the followers of Hinduism. In addition, the state also has a number of ancient temples.


The decision to focus on the development of its ancient temples for tourism includes attention to temples such as Jageshwar, Shiv Kapileshwar, Patal Bhumi, Baijnath, Bagnath, Bhimeshwar and more. It will be taking around 24 temples under purview. Other than these Shiva temples, a number of Vishnu temples were also identified for a possible Vishnu Circuit in the centre.

The meeting was attended by district tourism development officers from 13 districts from all over the state; the officers also came up with names of ancient temples from their districts that can be included in the programme.