Include Konark, Jagannath temple in Iconic Tourist Sites, Dharmendra urges

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Jul 26, 2019 at 5:52 PM

Bhubaneswar: Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has urged Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, for including Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri and Sun Temple in Konark in the Iconic Tourist Sites.

In a letter to Patel, Dharmendra said, “Odisha is home to several wonderful cultural and natural heritage sites amongst which Sun Temple in Konark and Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri are holiest pilgrimage and attractive tourist destinations due to their religious, cultural and architectural importance. The social fabric of Odisha is held together by seams of rich cultural history and devotion to Lord Jagannath. The Jagannath Temple at Puri is the ceremonial home of Odisha’s most revered deity, Lord Jagannath, and one of the four holiest dhams for Hindus. Host of the iconic Rath Yatra, the Puri Jagannath Temple is unifying beacon of Odisha’s quintessential Jagannath cult.”

Odisha to move Supreme Court over Kotia panchayat polls

2nd phase COVID vaccination begins in Odisha; Top cops, bureaucrats take jab

Pradhan further wrote that the Konark Sun Temple, the 13th century marvel is acknowledged as the zenith of Odishan architecture and recognized globally as UNESCO world heritage site. Together with Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark form Odisha’s golden triangle attracting millions of tourists and pilgrims from around the world and are breathing incarnations of Odisha’s socio-cultural identity.

“Keeping in mind the paramount historical, cultural and religious importance of Sun Temple in Konark and Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri for the people of Odisha, I request your personal intervention for inclusion of Sun Temple in Konark and Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri in the Iconic Tourist Sites,” Pradhan urged.

Worth mentioning, the Central Government has decided to develop 17 tourism sites across the country into world class tourist destinations and to serve as a model for other tourism sites. The Iconic Tourism Sites would enhance visitor experience which would lead to increase visits of both domestic and international tourists at these destinations.