National

Law on management of religious places likely

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI MAY 30. Eager to replicate the Vaishno Devi success story at religious places elsewhere in the country, the Union Tourism and Culture Minister, Jagmohan, is toying with the idea of bringing in legislation to streamline their management.

Such a move is being considered due to the fact that Bhishm Kund-Narktara — an important site related to the Mahabharata and which attracts a large number of pilgrims — is in private hands. The Ministry is eager to restore it and make it part of the Mahabharata-related tour circuit being planned in the Kurukshetra region of Haryana. The Minister has already met with tour operators for this purpose.

Briefing mediapersons here today after visiting these spots, Mr. Jagmohan said the State Government had been asked to explore the possibility of reclaiming the land, rehabilitating those who own it and then instituting a system of management along the lines of the Vaishno Devi and Mansa Devi shrines. The Ministry assured the State that Rs. 50 lakhs would be allotted for relocating the owners of the land and for sprucing up the temple.

Bhishm Kund-Narktara apart, the Ministry's plans to develop Kurukshetra — "the epicentre of Indian civilisation and culture — into a "befitting symbol of eternal India" includes landscaping and setting up a sound-and-light show at Puroshottam Park and Brahm Sarovar and the development of Jyotisar, where the message of Gita is said to have been delivered. The three projects are planned at a total cost of Rs. 3 crore. Besides, a `Tapovan Park' would be developed by the Centre at a cost of Rs. 3.2 crores.

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