Bhaderwah temples can amplify tourist footfall immensely: Dharmarth Trust

President J&K Dharmarth Trust Ajay Gandotra during visit to a temple in Bhaderwah.
President J&K Dharmarth Trust Ajay Gandotra during visit to a temple in Bhaderwah.

Excelsior Correspondent
BHADERWAH, June 7: The temples of Bhaderwah region have the potential to boost up religious tourism considerably if the Government lends hand for their facelift and up-gradation.
This was said by Ajay Gandotra, President J&K Dharmarth Trust after conducting an extensive two-day tour of Bhaderwah to review the functioning of temples and shrines and to discuss the issue of their up-gradation with local administration.
During the visit, the President took a detailed review of each and every temple including Shri Vasuki Naag ji Temples Bhaderwah, Shri Guptganga Temple, Shri Ganesh Mandir, Mata Atharabhuja Temple and Mahakali Mandir Bhaderwah Fort.
Additional Secretary Varinder Singh Jamwal accompanied the President Dharmarth Trust.
Ajay Gandotra after reviewing the status of temples and shrines in Bhaderwah maintained that there is urgent need to facelift many of these temples which hold immense religious significance as people from far and wide places visit them persistently to satiate their religious and spiritual desires and aspirations.
Later, the President DT interacted with the local administration of Bhaderwah and discussed various contours of up-gradation of religious places. He said that concerted efforts can only ensure promotion of tourism in the town and the aforesaid temples hold special significance in wooing the visitors especially after they have overcome COVID-19 pandemic. During the interaction with concerned officials of the administration, Ajay Gandotra also dwelled on the PRASAD Scheme to give further boost to religious tourism in the Union Territory of J&K.
The President Dharmarth Trust also held a meeting with President Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Bhadarwah, Varinder Razdan and prominent citizens of Bhadarwah town and discussed up-gradation of temples and improvement of facilities to the pilgrims and local people who are regular visitors of the aforesaid temples. It was decided that a comprehensive plan will soon be formulated to bring about the desired face-lifting of the temples and how the facilities being offered to the devotees can be improvised and improved.
Ajay Gandotra also facilitated virtual interaction of Pujari of Guptganga Mandir with Dr Karan Singh, Chairman of J&K Dharmarth Trust.
As a welcome gesture, the Priest of Guptganga Mandir presented Saropa to the President of Dharmarth Trust.