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Tourism project receives jolt

Correspondent

Large portion of land under encroachment

BHUBANESWAR: The ambitious tourism promotion project for the 64-Yogini temple site of Hirapur near the capital city has received a jolt with the shocking revelation that a large portion of the land required for the project is under encroachment.

The Tourism Ministry and the State Tourism Department have joined hands in exploring the tourism potential of this immensely important and popular tourist destination.

Hirapur is best known 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.

The Centre has sanctioned Rs.2 crores for development of the site under its rural tourism promotion project and Rs. 50 lakhs has already been released.

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

The project, therefore, envisages construction of good road to the village, construction of a heritage gate at the entrance to the village, landscaping of the temple site, setting up of an amenity centre and a sales centre for Orissa art and crafts to lure visitors.

While the Puri district administration, in association with the Department of Tourism, the Archaeological Survey of India and Bhubaneswar-based Institute of Tourism and Travel Management was working on a war-footing to complete the project at the earliest, visit of senior revenue officials to the spot revealed that of the 17-acre sprawling campus of the site, about seven acres are under encroachment, say sources.

The officials further found that the land has to be acquired from genuine owners for expansion of the link road to the site, a factor that the planners had ignored while making the proposal.

The officers had a tripartite meeting with the temple trust and the land holders at the village to sort out the problem but in vain, add the sources.

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