Ratnagiri's famous Shilahara-era temple lie in ruins

Ganga tirth, an ancient temple, lie in ruins in Maharashtra. The revival of ancient spiritual locations as tourist spots can improve the infrastructure and bring more funds for the preservation of such monuments and pilgrimage sites.

Ratnagiri: Ganga tirth, an ancient temple and famous pilgrimage spot in Ratnagiri town of Maharashtra lies in ruin. According to reports, around nine lakh rupees were allotted for the preservation and development of the spiritual centre, but the fund remained unused at panchayath level.

Ganga tirth is famous among devotees who undertake pilgrimage along the river Ganges. The temple, once a thriving spiritual hub during the times of Shilahara dynasty, now remains in a dilapidated condition, with wells of the temple drained and filled with mud.

Besides, several Ganga Kunds in the region also remain severely damaged with cracks in walls, collapsed ladders and broken wells.

Read:This Mahabharata-era temple in HP is home to a 600-year-old deity

Despite calls for repair and renovation by the local residents, the temple remains ignored and an internal conflict between the trust managing the temple and the local administration is believed to have caused delay in development projects.

The funds allotted for preservation of the temple was also returned as there were no takers. Revival of ancient spiritual locations as tourist spots can improve the infrastructure and bring more funds for preservation of such monuments and pilgrimage sites.