In order to discuss the development and promotion of the ancient temples in Uttarakhand as tourist attractions  Uttarakhand Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj on Wednesday held a meeting of the Uttrakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB). 

At the meeting, the minister announced he will also get in touch with Bollywood film producers and directors to develop film projects on Uttarakhand’s famous personalities like Nain Singh Rawat, Ajit Doval, Raja Malusai, as well as on unique ethnic Tharu and Bhoksa tribes.

The meeting was attended by district tourism development officers (DTDO) of 13 districts, all of whom submitted details of ancient temples in their respective areas for discussion, including ones dedicated to the Gods Shankar, Vishnu, and Ram, as well as circuits around Golu Devta and Navagraha.

A total of 24 ancient Shiva temples, namely Shiv Kapileshwar and Jageshwar in Almora, Patal Bhumi in Pithoragarh, Baijnath and Bagnath in Bageshwar, Kanteshwar in Champawat, Bhimeshwar in Nainital, Moteshwar Mahadev in Udham Singh Nagar, Koteshwar Mahadev in Tehri, Vishwanath and Kashi Vishwanath in Uttarkashi, Daksha Prajapati in Haridwar, Rudranath Shiva and Kalpeshwar Shiva in Chamoli, Kyankaleshwar in Pauri, Nilakand, Ekeshwar and Lakhamandal Shiva in Dehradun, as well as the temple towns of Rudraprayag and Pancha Kedar, were identified for development and to be advertised for tourism.

Temples like Badrinath and Chhatargula in Almora, Ram and Narayan Kali in Almora, Vishnu and Kotli in Pithoragarh, Mool Narayan in Bageshwar, Narayan Koti in Rudraprayag, Narayan Shila in Haridwar, Panch Badri in Chamoli, Satya Narayan in Dehradun, Raghunath in Devaprayag, Raghunath Galbanar, Vishnu and Samuh Devalgarh in Pauri were also identified as ancient Vishnu temples for a Vaishnav circuit.

“Ancient Nag Devta temples like Nagnath and Pigali Nag in Champawat, Bedi Nag, and Beri Nag in Pithoragarh, Feni Nag and Dhauli Nag in Bageshwar, Karkotak in Nainital, Sem Mukheem and Nag temples in Tehri, Nagraj temples in Mussoorie and Dehradun, and Danda Nagaraja Mandir in Pauri, were also identified for tourism development,” said tourism secretary Dilip Jawalkar.

For the Navagraha circuit, temples dedicated to Manila Devi, Katar, Chittai Goljew, and Gairan in Almora, Aditya (Sun) in Ramak Champawat, Guru Brihaspati in Nainital, Shani Dev Maharaj in Uttar Kashi, Kharsali and Rahu in Pauri, Golu Devta temples in Champawat and Ghorakhal of Nainital were also identified at the meeting.
The tourism minister also gave directions to identify Sikh shrines, siddh peeths, Buddhist temples to broaden the prospect of tourism in the state.

On promoting stories of famous Uttarakhand personalities, Maharaj said, “I’ve requested the Governor of Maharashtra, Bhagat Singh Koshyari, to arrange a meeting with famous film producers and directors in the near future.”

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