New Delhi: The Union Government will develop Jain Tirthankar circuits at several places in Bihar, boosting tourism potential at the religiously significant places.
According to details, the Tourism Ministry will develop Tirthankar circuits at Vaishali, Ara, Patna, Rajgir, Pavapuri and Champapuri of Bihar.
The proposed circuits will be developed under the Swadesh Darshan Yojna, a flagship scheme of the government to encourage people to visit and explore various destinations within the country.
The project will cost around Rs 34 crore and will include development of Tirthankar circuits at birthplace of 24th Tirthankar Bhagwan Mahavir at Vaishali, ancient places associated with Jain religion in Ara and Patna, Tapobhumi related to Jain Tirthankar in Rajgir, ‘Nirvana Sthal of Bhagwan Mahavir at Pavapuri and at Champapuri related to 12th Tirthankar Bhagwan Vasupujya.
Other than the proposed Tirthankar circuits, the Ministry has also given node to various other projects in the state. This include development of ‘Patna Sahib’ with an estimated cost of around Rs 29 crore, Maa Ambika Bhawani Mandir at Saran with an allocation of Rs 13.29 crore, development of Sultanganj- Deoghar Kanwariya Marg [route] costing 44.76 crore and Bauddh Dhyan and Anubhav Kendra [Buddhist meditation and experience centre] at Gaya Ji with an estimated cost of over Rs 160 crores.
The Ministry under the scheme has also announced to develop a rural circuit at Bhitiharwa- Chandrahia- Turkaulia along developing a spiritual circuit at Mandar Hill and Ang Pradesh.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0
Ministry of Tourism launched Swadesh Darshan scheme (SDS) in 2014-15 with the idea to develop thematic tourism circuits in the country and sanctioned 76 projects for Rs 5290.30 crore under identified themes.
This scheme has been revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) with the aim to develop sustainable tourism destinations with tourist and destination centric approach. Under SD2.0, the Ministry has sanctioned 52 projects for Rs 2108.87 crore.
In addition, the Ministry under ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan has also sanctioned 36 projects for Rs 648.10 Crore.
State government to develop ‘Punaura Dham’, ‘Harihar Mandir Kshetra,’ and other religious sites
Notably in a significant move, the state cabinet led by Chief Minister (CM) Nitish Kumar had also approved the construction of a grand temple of Mata Sita at Punaura Dham, a sacred site in Sitamarhi district renowned for being the birth place of Mata Sita.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on August 8 has already laid the foundation stone for the proposed temple which will be developed on the lines of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Kshetra Tirtha Kshetra, Ayodhya with an estimated cost of around Rs 882 crores 87 lakh.
Earlier the state cabinet had also approved state’s tourism department’s proposal to develop notable religious sites in February this year.
The projects include the overall development of the Harihar temple area in Sonepur, various development work at Someshawarnath temple at Areraj, Siheneshwar Sthan at Madhepura, Kusheshwar Sthan of Darbhanga, Pooran Devi temple in Purnia and others.
