Uttar Pradesh planning to develop Mahabharata tourist circuit

Inspired by the success of the Buddhist Circuit, Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department is planning a Mahabharata Circuit connecting places in the state mentioned in the epic. The Centre has agreed to provide an assistance of Rs five crore for the proposed project, state Tourism Minister Kokab Hameed said. Asserting that Mahabharata was not all about "Kurukshetra (present day Haryana) and Hastinapur (present day Meerut)", he said there were a number of places in Uttar Pradesh where significant events recorded in the Mahabharata are believed to have occurred and cited the districts of Baghpat, his native place, and Bijnore. He said a tunnel believed to be of the Mahabharata period and which was used by Pandavas had been found in Baghpat.

The minister added that the Japanese bank JBIC had contributed a whopping Rs 680 crore for developing the Buddhist Circuit in Uttar Pradesh, where places like Sarnath, where Buddha delivered his first sermon, and Kushinagar, where he breathed his last, are situated. The circuit attracts thousands of tourists annually from the country and abroad. Hameed, who was here to review preparations for the Ardh Kumbh beginning next week, said the tourism department has sanctioned Rs 50 lakh to facilitate the visit and stay of people from around the world. "One of the major attractions would be a tent hotel, comprising 40 double-bed swiss cottages equipped with 3 star facilities, three dormitories having 10 beds each, and a vegetarian restaurant," he said.

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