BHUBANESWAR: As part of its ambitious rural tourism promotion project, the Department of Tourism has zoomed in on Hirapur village near the State capital to develop it into a heritage village modelled after the artists' village of Raghurajpur.

Hirapur is best known world wide for the famous 64-Yogini tantric temple. Though the smallest of nine such Yogini shrines discovered in India, this 9th century shrine has been the best preserved temple of its kind in the country for undertaking any study on tantra cult.

For its proximity to the capital city apart from its historical, archaeological and cultural relevance, it received a large chunk of travellers and researchers from abroad.

Cost involved

Sources in the Tourism Directorate revealed that the Centre-sponsored project would cost Rs.70 lakhs in the preliminary phase.

It would include development of the road to the village, construction of heritage gate at the entrance to the village and landscaping of the temple site.

Amenity centre

Later, a wayside amenity centre and a crafts centre would be set up in the village, it was learnt.

The department was working out the details in consultation with the Archaeological Survey of India, the Ministry of Tourism and the city-based Institute of Tourism & Travel Management, the sources said.

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