Ahead of the investors meet in Lucknow slated for 21-22 February, efforts are on to give tourism a further push in Uttar Pradesh by proposing nine new circuits in the state. The intent is not only to attract domestic tourists but also to ensure more footfalls of the foreign arrivals.

A booklet prepared by the tourism department, ‘Investors Summit 2018’ has listed these circuits. Accordingly, many new circuits have been proposed which range from the Sufi circuit to the Shakti Peeth circuit, Mahabharat circuit to Krishna circuit, Jain circuit to even a Freedom struggle circuit.

The dargahs of Sufi saints have been a big attraction for people of different faiths. Accordingly the circuit is expected to include Fatehpur Sikri which has the tomb of the famous Sufi saint Salim Chisti, held in high regard by Emperor Akbar. It will also embrace Lucknow where thousands assemble every year at the annual urs of Shah Mina Sahib; Barabanki which is renowned the world over for Dewa Sharif wherein is the tomb of Haji Waris Ali Shah. The other places which the circuit is expected to touch are Rampur, Bareilly and Badaun.

Places associated with Hindu Goddesses will form the fulcrum of the Shakti Peeth. Domestic tourists are known to throng Vindhyachal in district Mirzapur during the two Navratras. The other places which will form part of the Shakti Peeth circuit are Varanasi, Kaushambi, Allahabad, Sonebhadra and Saharanpur.

Mathura, Vrindavan, Govardhan, Gokul, Barsana and Nandgaon will form part of the Krishna circuit. These cities form an integral part of the life of Lord Krishna with Mathura being the place of his birth and Vrindavan being the place where Krishna performed Raas Leelas. The festivals of Holi, famously known as ‘Barsana ki Holi’, and Krishna Janmashtami have a special significance in Mathura-Vrindavan.Another circuit will be dedicated to the places connected with the great epic Mahabharat.

Information about the circuits proposed by the state government will form an integral part of the forthcoming investors’ summit, which will be the first mega event to woo investors since the BJP government headed by Yogi Adityanath assumed office in March 2017. Sources said an investment of Rs 5 lakh crore in the next five years has been proposed by the government which will provide job opportunities for about 20 lakh people.