Haryana to develop Kurukshetra as global tourist hub

 Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday said to develop Kurukshetra as an international tourist destination, the government is offering plots on concessional rates to those states interested in constructing their 'bhawans' for the pilgrims.

He said it has been decided to construct 'Bharat Mata Temple' in Kurukshetra over five acres between Jyotisar and Braham Sarovar. Besides the state government, Kurukshetra Development Board and various social and religious organizations are working for the development of Kurukshetra as a religious and cultural centre.

The work is in progress for the construction of Swami Gyananada's Gio Gita Sansthan for opening an academic and meditation centre and Multi Art Culture Centre of Akshar Dham, said the Chief Minister.

Khattar said during the ongoing International Gita Mahotsav in Kurukshetra the main programmes have been lined up between December 3 and 8.

He said the government of India has given its consent to use the logo of "Atulya Bharata (Incredible India)' during the mahotsav.

"It is a coincidence that after a fortnight of the International Gita Mahotsav culmination, a solar eclipse is occurring on December 26 and this would be visible in Kurukshetra after a gap of 10 years. Lakhs of pilgrims are expected to visit Kurukshetra on this pious occasion," he said.

He said this year Uttarakhand is the partner state in the International Gita Mahotsav. Fifteen countries are participating in the mahotsav. Delegation of Britain, Mauritius, Australia and Canada are visiting Kurukshetra. He said besides universities of Haryana, scholars of foreign universities and ambassadors of Nepal, Britain and Mauritius are also participating in the Gita Mahotsav.

According to Khattar, Rs 9734.70 lakh has been sanctioned by the Union Ministry of Tourism under Krishna circuit Phase I for the development of infrastructure at places related to Mahabharat in Kurukshetra.

He said International Gita Jayanti Mahotsav would be organized in Australia in March 2020.

He said similarly Canada has also offered to celebrate International Gita Mahotsav, the dates for which would be decided soon.IANS