Bhubaneswar: In a major push to promote religious tourism and celebrate the state’s spiritual heritage, deputy chief minister Pravati Parida on Tuesday announced the creation of a “Shakti Corridor” that will connect key shakti peeths across the state. The project, aimed at drawing pilgrims and cultural tourists, is expected to be completed within two years.
She made the announcement during her visit to the revered Maa Tara Tarini temple in Ganjam on Tuesday. She was accompanied by law minister Prithviraj Harichandan. The leaders participated in temple rituals, performed a parikrama of the shrine, and assessed ongoing development projects in the temple’s vicinity.
The corridor will bring prominent Shakti shrines — including Maa Tara Tarini, Maa Biraja, Maa Ugratara, Maa Mangala, Maa Kalijai, Maa Bhagabati, and Maa Bhairavi — under a unified spiritual circuit. “This initiative will not only strengthen Odisha’s position on the religious tourism map but also showcase its deep-rooted devotion to the divine feminine,” Parida said.
The state govt is planning to enhance infrastructure and connectivity along the corridor, with proposals to launch helicopter services for pilgrims seeking a faster and more comfortable travel experience.
Harichandan reiterated the govt’s commitment to completing the corridor within two years. “The Shakti Corridor will offer devotees a seamless spiritual journey, linking some of the most sacred and culturally significant temples in Odisha,” he said, adding that the project will also serve as a platform to preserve and promote Odisha’s rich spiritual traditions.