Uttaranchal: An emerging hub for spiritual tourism

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Uttaranchal: An emerging hub for spiritual tourism

 

TRYING to cash in on its age-old status of Dev bhoomi, or the land of

Gods, various tour operators, recreation and spiritual centres in

Uttaranchal are trying to promote the region through spiritual

tourism packages, reports PTI.

Uttaranchal is undoubtedly a haven for tourists. This newly-formed

state is home to a number of tourist locales that offer the visitor a

wide variety of options. It has traditionally been known as a major

pilgrim destination. With the Char Dham being renowned as the

ultimate pilgrim destination for the Hindus to attain salvation, the

state receives hordes of pilgrims every year. The other favourite

being the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which leaves many a pilgrim and

tourist breathless.

 

The Hemkund Sahib is also an important pilgrimage destination for

Sikhs.

 

Along its shores is the sacred Sikh shrine of Guru Gobi Singh.

 

But the state also has an extremely rich and vibrant cultural

heritage, which is reflected in the innumerable fairs and festivals

and off recently the fascinating village tourism concept promoted by

the state aims to give tourists a first-hand experience of the

culture of the state. Uttaranchal received the National Tourism Award

in January this year.

 

"As a large number of foreign tourists are attracted to these pilgrim

centres, spiritual tourism packages can offer them an insight into

the Indian culture, which experiencing the many faces of it yoga,

meditation, to name a few," says Sant Shergill, director of Maharshi

Mahesh Yogi Ashram, offering such packages here.

 

"Under this, we offer special recreation pacakges to the tourists,

to keep them mentally fresh and away from stress," says Shergill,

noting it holds great potential to boost the economy of the state.

Realising the tremendous and unlimited tourism potential of the

state, the government has identified tourism as an integral part and

focal point of the states economy. But in order to attract tourists

from all over the world, it is imperative that the government create

efficient, modern and state-of-the-art infrastructure, he says.

 

However, since most of the recreational centres have wide network in

most foreign countries, it can be effectively used to attract

foreigners to the Land of the Gods, Shergill says, dding they have

sought permission from the state government for construction of 1000

rooms in this area. The project would also help generate employment

for local and opening up many new avenues for them.

 

The situation is fast changing in this hilly area. With t e Border

Roads Organisation becoming in charge of the roads, t eir condition

is much better and a major hurdle of reaching th far off destinations

has been solved, notes Shergill.

 

The state government too is working for strengthening of he

institutional framework, infrastructural development, vigor us

private sector participation, effective mobilisation of res urces and

right publicity and marketing.