Uttaranchal: An emerging hub for spiritual tourism

07-05-2002, 08:01 PM

Uttaranchal: An emerging hub for spiritual tourism

TRYING to cash in on its age-old status of Dev bhoomi, or the land of
Gods, various tour operators, recreation and spiritual centres in
Uttaranchal are trying to promote the region through spiritual
tourism packages, reports PTI.
Uttaranchal is undoubtedly a haven for tourists. This newly-formed
state is home to a number of tourist locales that offer the visitor a
wide variety of options. It has traditionally been known as a major
pilgrim destination. With the Char Dham being renowned as the
ultimate pilgrim destination for the Hindus to attain salvation, the
state receives hordes of pilgrims every year. The other favourite
being the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which leaves many a pilgrim and
tourist breathless.

The Hemkund Sahib is also an important pilgrimage destination for
Sikhs.

Along its shores is the sacred Sikh shrine of Guru Gobi Singh.

But the state also has an extremely rich and vibrant cultural
heritage, which is reflected in the innumerable fairs and festivals
and off recently the fascinating village tourism concept promoted by
the state aims to give tourists a first-hand experience of the
culture of the state. Uttaranchal received the National Tourism Award
in January this year.

"As a large number of foreign tourists are attracted to these pilgrim
centres, spiritual tourism packages can offer them an insight into
the Indian culture, which experiencing the many faces of it yoga,
meditation, to name a few," says Sant Shergill, director of Maharshi
Mahesh Yogi Ashram, offering such packages here.

"Under this, we offer special recreation pacakges to the tourists,
to keep them mentally fresh and away from stress," says Shergill,
noting it holds great potential to boost the economy of the state.
Realising the tremendous and unlimited tourism potential of the
state, the government has identified tourism as an integral part and
focal point of the states economy. But in order to attract tourists
from all over the world, it is imperative that the government create
efficient, modern and state-of-the-art infrastructure, he says.

However, since most of the recreational centres have wide network in
most foreign countries, it can be effectively used to attract
foreigners to the Land of the Gods, Shergill says, dding they have
sought permission from the state government for construction of 1000
rooms in this area. The project would also help generate employment
for local and opening up many new avenues for them.

The situation is fast changing in this hilly area. With t e Border
Roads Organisation becoming in charge of the roads, t eir condition
is much better and a major hurdle of reaching th far off destinations
has been solved, notes Shergill.

The state government too is working for strengthening of he
institutional framework, infrastructural development, vigor us
private sector participation, effective mobilisation of res urces and
right publicity and marketing.