Garh jungle in W Burdwan to be developed into religious tourism circuit

The West Bengal government will develop a heritage religious tourism circuit at Garh Jungle in the West Burdwan district, modelled after the Kashi Vishwanath Temple circuit.

The location holds historical and mythological significance as the site where the first ever Durga Puja was officially performed by King Surath under a Sal tree.

Advertisement

The issue will be discussed in the upcoming board meeting of Asansol Durgapur Development Authority (ADDA) on 18 July in which both DM , S Ponnambalam and UDMA minister Agnimitra Paul will be present.

Incidentally, Finance minister Swapan Dasgupta has announced in the recent state Budget a massive investment of Rs 1,000 crore financial package over the next three years to establish two major spiritual tourism circuits ~ the Bengal Shaktipeeth Circuit and the Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Pilgrimage Circuit, aiming to restore and connect heritage temples located across several districts in the state. Alongside these circuits, the government is also reconstituting the West Bengal Heritage Commission to restore several iconic cultural and spiritual sites in the state.

King Surath had performed the Durga Puja under a Sal tree worshipping Mahamurthi Medhas. The place is known as Dharma Garh of King Surtah. The reference and the details of this Durga Puja have been mentioned in between page numbers 97 to 108 in chapter five of Devi Puran, say experts.

Garh Jungle is an important place in Hindu mythology, especially Shakta. It is located in the Kanksa CD block (near Durgapur) in the Durgapur Sub-Division of the West Burdwan district.

Talking exclusively to The Statesman, Chandra Sekhar Banerjee, local MLA has informed that already a proposal to set up Garh Chandham tourism circuit and corridor, modelled on the Kashi Vishwanath Dham Temple corridor, has been prepared and it will be placed in the next board meeting which includes setting up of a Yatri Niwas, pucca roads, drinking water, rest room, welcome gate, beautification on both sides of the road, increasing safety through police outposts for pilgrims and tourists.

Besides concrete structures will be developed near the Jagya Kunda, separate guest rooms for priests and pilgrims, he added.

“Prima facie all the proposals about setting up a heritage pilgrimage tourism circuit have been approved and finally it will be placed for approval in the next board meeting in which all the MLAs of West Burdwan district, including two minister’s, UDMA’s Agnimitra Paul and PWD and PHE, Dr Ajay Poddar would be present.