Include Sun, Jagannath temples in iconic tourist sites: Pradhan

 Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has requested Union Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel for the inclusion of Sun Temple in Konark and Jagannath Temple in Puri in the iconic tourist sites.

In a letter released to media on Friday, Pradhan sought the personal intervention of Patel for inclusion of the two temples in the iconic tourist sites.

"Odisha is home to several wonderful cultural and natural heritage sites amongst which Sun Temple in Konark and Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri are holiest pilgrimage and attractive tourist destinations due to their religious, cultural and architectural importance," said the Minister.

He said the Jagannath Temple is the ceremonial home of Odisha's most revered deity, Lord Jagannath, and one of the four holiest dhams for Hindus.

Host of the iconic Rath Yatra, the Puri Jagannath Temple is unifying beacon of Odisha's quintessential Jagannath cult, he informed.

The Minister further said that the Konark Sun Temple, the 13th century marvel, is acknowledged as the zenith of Odishan architecture and recognised globally as a Unesco world heritage site.

"Together with Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark form Odisha's golden triangle attracting millions of tourists and pilgrims from around the world and are breathing incarnations of Odisha's socio-cultural identity," said Pradhan.

"Keeping in mind the paramount historical, cultural and religious importance of Sun Temple in Konark and Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri for the people of Odisha, I request your personal intervention for inclusion of Sun Temple in Konark and Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri in the Iconic Tourist Sites," said Pradhan.

Earlier, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had requested the Centre for inclusion of at least two tourist places of importance from the state in the list of iconic tourist sites to be developed by the Centre.

The request came after the omission of Odisha from list of 17 iconic tourism sites to be developed by the Centre.

The Central government has decided to develop 17 tourism sites across the country into world-class tourist destinations and to serve as a model for other tourism sites. IANS