BHUBANESWAR, July 27: Union minister Dharmendra
Pradhan has urged the Centre to include Odisha’s Jagannath
Temple and Konark Sun Temple in the proposed list of ‘iconic
tourist sites’.
Pradhan wrote a letter to Culture and Tourism Minister
(Independent Charge) Prahlad Singh Patel in this regard on
July 25.
“Keeping in mind the paramount historical, cultural
and religious importance of Konark’s Sun Temple and Puri’s
Lord Jagannath Temple… I request your personal intervention
for their inclusion in the list of iconic tourist sites,” he
said.
The Centre has identified 17 sites in the country for
development under the Iconic Tourist Sites Development
Project.
The petroleum minister said Konark and Puri are among
the holiest pilgrimage centres and tourist attractions in the
state.
“Along with Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark form the
‘golden triangle’ of tourism in the state, attracting millions
of visitors from across the globe,” he said in the letter.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday
launched the revamped website of Odisha Tourism, featuring the
state’s handloom and handicraft products on the portal.
It also forays into the concept of virtual reality or
VR tourism.
“It has been our constant endeavour to showcase Odisha
to the world. Tourism is amongst the most sustainable routes
to maximising employment opportunities for our youth and
ensuring shared prosperity through community participation,”
Patnaik said.
Tourist arrivals in Odisha is growing at an
“impressive” annual rate of over 9 per cent, he added. (PTI)
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