Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, Chief Minister, Uttarakhand, on the state’s precious heritage
Tourism industry is a major source of income for both the people of the state as well as state government. For its significant support to the state’s livelihood, we would like to lay emphasis on adventure tourism and development of yoga and meditation centres. Uttarakhand has many religious and scenic tourist spots which is why it is also called the land of the gods (dev bhumi). With the help of World Tourism Organisation, we have created a master plan for Uttarakhand and development of its tourism industry to increase amenities for the many pilgrims and tourists who flood the state every year.
We have seen an increase of four per cent in domestic and six per cent in foreign tourists coming to Uttarakhand. Our target is to get the number to a 10 per cent increase in foreign tourists. The Veer Chand Singh Garhwali's tourism self-employment plan is to develop rail services in the hilly regions and provide facilities for air services to the prominent tourist destinations. Protecting the environment is also a priority, since we are one of the world’s top regions in terms of biodiversity. We have several proposals in the field of eco-tourism too.
Combing the Kumbh for legends
According to Vishnu Purana, 14 treasures emerged in the process of churning the ocean by gods and demons to obtain nectar. When nectar finally did appear, there was a struggle between the two groups to make it their own. Meanwhile, Indra's son Jayanta fled with the vessel and was chased by the demons. During his escape, Jayanta laid the vessel at rest in 12 places, of which four – Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik and Prayag – are on earth and are celebrated as venues for the Kumbh Mela. The rest are believed to be in heaven.
The snan (holy bath) is a part of the Kumbh tradition, during which members of 13 Akharas (Hindu monastic orders) – comprising Saiva and Vaishnava sects – bathe in the Ganga. These Akhara groups were established in the manner of a religious army during the Mughal era to protect Hindu religion. But given the divisions, there were often clashes over rights to the Royal Bath first. This time, however, things will be different. Says Mahanta Vishwa Bandhu, a member of the Digambar Akhara, “Earlier, the administration used to allot date and time for the Shahi Snan (Royal Bath) for the various sects. But after Akhara Parishad took the initiative, both Saiva and Vaishnava Akharas will take the Bath together for the first time at Kumbh.”
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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009
Tourism industry is a major source of income for both the people of the state as well as state government. For its significant support to the state’s livelihood, we would like to lay emphasis on adventure tourism and development of yoga and meditation centres. Uttarakhand has many religious and scenic tourist spots which is why it is also called the land of the gods (dev bhumi). With the help of World Tourism Organisation, we have created a master plan for Uttarakhand and development of its tourism industry to increase amenities for the many pilgrims and tourists who flood the state every year.
We have seen an increase of four per cent in domestic and six per cent in foreign tourists coming to Uttarakhand. Our target is to get the number to a 10 per cent increase in foreign tourists. The Veer Chand Singh Garhwali's tourism self-employment plan is to develop rail services in the hilly regions and provide facilities for air services to the prominent tourist destinations. Protecting the environment is also a priority, since we are one of the world’s top regions in terms of biodiversity. We have several proposals in the field of eco-tourism too.
Combing the Kumbh for legends
According to Vishnu Purana, 14 treasures emerged in the process of churning the ocean by gods and demons to obtain nectar. When nectar finally did appear, there was a struggle between the two groups to make it their own. Meanwhile, Indra's son Jayanta fled with the vessel and was chased by the demons. During his escape, Jayanta laid the vessel at rest in 12 places, of which four – Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik and Prayag – are on earth and are celebrated as venues for the Kumbh Mela. The rest are believed to be in heaven.
The snan (holy bath) is a part of the Kumbh tradition, during which members of 13 Akharas (Hindu monastic orders) – comprising Saiva and Vaishnava sects – bathe in the Ganga. These Akhara groups were established in the manner of a religious army during the Mughal era to protect Hindu religion. But given the divisions, there were often clashes over rights to the Royal Bath first. This time, however, things will be different. Says Mahanta Vishwa Bandhu, a member of the Digambar Akhara, “Earlier, the administration used to allot date and time for the Shahi Snan (Royal Bath) for the various sects. But after Akhara Parishad took the initiative, both Saiva and Vaishnava Akharas will take the Bath together for the first time at Kumbh.”
For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009
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