The Bagnath temple in Bageshwar will be developed on the lines of Badrinath and Kedarnath with infrastructural development and tourist facilities under the Central government’s PRASAD scheme. Tourism secretary Dilip Jawalkar said this while visiting Bagnath on the third day of his Kumaon tour on Saturday.

He said that under the scheme, all shops in the temple complex will be developed in a uniform manner in the traditional mountain style.Ghats will be constructed on the banks of the Sarayu river while light and sound show in the temple complex and construction of a museum will also be facilitated. A façade around the temple and murals will be used to lend a new look to the temple. Further, construction of ropeway from Chandika temple to Neeleshwar temple, beautification of bridges and souvenir shop for Prasad will also be facilitated. Jawalkar said that the temple complex will be thoroughly cleaned and a parking facility will be developed outside the temple complex to better regulate the traffic. The secretary also held a meeting with district officials at the district headquarters. He told the officials that works should be done so that the number of devotees visiting Bagnath increases every year. Development works should be done to ensure that all the travelers are able to reach the temple conveniently and safely. The focus should also be on improving the economy of the local residents, he added. Jawalkar said that there is considerable scope in this region for development of cultural, historical, religious and heritage tourism, and employment generation. Stressing on the development of tourism circuit, the secretary said that development should be facilitated on a theme suitable to the area by amalgamating religion, culture and heritage.

Bageshwar district magistrate Vineet Kumar, additional CEO of Tourism, Pooja Gabryal and other officials were also present on the occasion.