Engaged in rejuvenation, preservation and promotion of ‘tirthas’, the Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) is seeking active participation from the Tirtha Samitis and youngsters to improve the footfall and restore the glory of shrines under the 48-kos land spread over five districts of Haryana.
As many as 182 shrines are on the list of the ‘tirthas’ identified and documented by the KDB. Of these, Kaithal district has the maximum 73 ‘tirthas’ under the 48-kos land, followed by Kurukshetra district (46), Karnal (40), Jind (22) and Panipat with one ‘tirtha’.
As per the board officials, the state government has been spending a huge budget on the rejuvenation of the ‘tirthas’. However, to increase footfall, active participation from the Tirtha Samitis and youngsters is required, the officials added.
Kurukshetra Development Board’s honorary secretary Upender Singhal said, “The Tirtha Samitis have an important role to play as they need to keep organising activities at the shrines throughout the year. We have been visiting the ‘tirthas’ on a regular basis. Different development works are also being carried out.”
“During the visits, meetings are held with the members of the Tirtha Samitis and they are urged to organise regular religious, social and cultural events so that people keep visiting the ‘tirthas’. The samitis have been urged to organise daily ‘aartis’ and motivate the local residents to become ‘yajmans of the day’ to mark the birthdays of their children and family members and other occasions,” he added.
All these 182 shrines have been included in the list after they met strict criteria set by the board. For the selection, a shrine requires documentary proofs, their mention in the ‘shastras’, historical value, archaeological value and folklore.
Except for Brahma Sarovar and Jyotisar Tirtha, the management of all other shrines are with the ‘tirtha’ management committees and gram panchayats concerned.
“The Tirtha Samitis should talk about their respective shrines at different platforms and share information about their religious, historical and archaeological importance. It will take time, but we have to start from somewhere. We are confident that the footfall will increase gradually,” Singhal said.
The KDB, in collaboration with the Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board, has started Ashtakosi Yatras in Kurukshetra aimed at promoting religious tourism. The 8-kos yatra, covering approximately 24 km within Kurukshetra city, covers various religious sites. The board aims to start 48-kos yatra in future.
During the yatra the devotees are apprised about the religious significance, historical values and the important incidents associated with the ‘tirthas’.
The KDB honorary secretary said following the appeals of the board, some people have come forward to construct a Surya Narayan Temple at the Surya Kund Tirtha so that the footfall can be increased.
Though the board has 182 ‘tirtahs’ on its official list, majority of the tourists reach Brahma Sarovar, Sannihit Sarovar, Saraswati Tirtha Pehowa and Jyotisar, even as the other shrines are equally important, he added.
The board is also trying to ensure standardisation in the development works to bring uniformity. The developmental works of all ‘tirthas’ are almost similar, be it the ghats, Mahima Path, toilet block, benches, parking, grills and entry gate.
All these efforts will not only help promote religious activities, but will also contribute to the economic upliftment of residents. The arrival of devotees and tourists throughout the year will boost the local economy and generate employment.
Connecting youngsters with religious sites
As per the KDB officials, efforts are being made to connect youngsters with the religious sites. One such an attempt was made by the district administration of Kurukshetra on Friday evening when a ‘Karam Ki Baat, Dharam Ki Baat’ event was held in the Mahabharat Anubhav Kendra at Jyotisar Tirtha.
As per Kurukshetra Deputy Commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena, the youth should become aware of issues concerning society and governance and play an active role in addressing them. The objective of the programme was to motivate the youth to contribute to building a clean, green and sustainable Haryana by engaging them in policy formulation and social responsibility.
It was Kurukshetra’s first youth-led policy dialogue. During the programme, the youth presented their perspectives on ‘Viksit Haryana 2047’. The Chief Minister’s Good Governance Associates (CMGGAs) and youth representatives from various districts of Haryana participated in the event.
Upender Singhal said the event was held at Jyotisar, the birthplace of Gita. While the event aimed at motivating the youngsters to present their thoughts, its another objective was to promote Anubhav Kendra. The participants were given a tour of the interpretation centre and they also watched a light and sound show. Similar efforts will be organised at the other shrines too.
