Sir,
This has reference to Secretary Tourism Farooq Ahmed Shah’s statement “Purmandal and Utterbehni to be developed as pilgrim, heritage spots”. This is indeed a welcome step that at least these heritage sites of great importance could find a mention in the policy structure of J&K Govt. I would like to request Mr Shah that this approach should turn into reality. It is sorry State of affairs that even the inhabitants of Jammu are unaware of the religions, archaeological and tourism related greatness of Purmandal and Utterbehni to which Maharaja Ranbir Singh Ji had wished to be a mini-Kashi. Very few people visit these places on broken and uprooted single line routes and on the occasions of fairs and festivals these remains four to five kilometer long traffic jam. So the first priority should be road widening and secondly these places should be highlighted at local, national and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage level. Once done Purmandal and Utterbehni will attract lakhs of visitors throughout the year. In addition to above the Tourism Department should give a serious thought for development of Sudhmahadev and Mantalai also and these spots should also be developed as ‘Pilgrim Heritage spots’ by keeping in view the religious and tourism related potential of these places. Hindus believe that the Yatra of Four Dhams will remain incomplete until your Holy bath in ‘Devika’ and Pooja in Shiv Temple at Sudhmahadev. In fact Sudhmahadev has a long chain of events concerning life times of Lord Shiva.
Yours etc…
Rajinder Chand Anthal
Zonal Education Officer (Rtd)
R/o Chenani Distt Udhampur
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