Keonjhar: Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi said that a comprehensive development plan worth Rs 215 crore has been made for Maa Tarini temple at Ghatagaon in Keonjhar district. Majhi made the announcement during a visit to the shrine on Monday to offer prayers on the occasion of Maha Bishuba Sankranti and Odia New Year.
“As part of Odisha govt’s renewed commitment to preserve and promote Odisha’s rich religious and cultural heritage, the development of Maa Tarini temple and its periphery will be held. We have earmarked the amount in the annual budget and a detailed project report is being prepared. Once the report is ready, a groundbreaking ceremony will be held to make it a major destination for religious tourism,” Majhi said.
According to official sources, the report will focus on the holistic development of the temple, including restoration and beautification of its structure, development of infrastructure such as approach roads, amenities for pilgrims, parking, lighting and sanitation facilities.
A three-storied guesthouse for pilgrims with a capacity of 250 beds will be constructed, along with an information centre, food plaza, new toilets, cloak room and shoe storage will be developed. Besides, there are plans to built two ticket counters, a rest house for drivers, a queue system for darshan, a pond and two entry gates.
In March, the Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation had invited tender for the project and it has set a target to complete the work in the next two years.
On Monday, thousands of devotees from across the state and outside thronged the temple of Goddess Tarini to witness Suna Besa of the goddess on the occasion of Chaiti Parva and Pana Sankranti.
This year, the 89th Chaiti Parva is being celebrated at the shrine and the celebrations will continue for a week. The festival is being organised by the temple trust board since 1937 as the annual festival of the goddess.
Later in the day, Majhi visited Keonjhar town and participated in Hanuman Jayanti celebrations.