Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh): To foster the state's religious potential and also establish the state as the hub of religious and spiritual tourism in the country, the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on Wednesday gave approval to the New Tourism Policy. The state under the policy will develop separate religious circuits.
As per the vision, the places associated with Lord Rama will be developed as the Ramayana Circuit and religious places associated with Lord Krishna as Krishna Circuit. State Cabinet Minister AK Sharma while giving details about the new tourism policy and development of new areas informed that Ayodhya, Chitrakoot, Bithoor and other places of significance during the Ramayana period will be included in the Ramayana circuit.
Similarly, Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul, Govardhan, Barsana, Nandgaon, and Baldev will be included in the Krishna circuit while the Buddhist circuit will include Kapilvastu, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Kaushambi, Shravasti, Ramgram and other places.
Sharma further said that to promote wildlife and eco-tourism, sanctuary and forest reserve will be developed. "Places endowed with natural beauty and with eco-tourism potential will be identified and developed. At the same time, it is proposed to increase tourist-friendly facilities while developing areas related to wildlife," he said. The Cabinet Minister further said that Mahabharata and Shaktipeeth circuits will also be developed in the State under New Tourism Policy.
"Mahabharata circuit has also been envisaged. In this, places like Hastinapur, Kampilya, Echhatra, Barnawa, Mathura, Kaushambi, Gonda, Lakshagriha have been selected. Similarly, the Shaktipeeth circuit will also be developed. It will extend from Vindhyavasini Devi, Ashtabhuja to Devipatan, Naimisharanya, Maa Lalita Devi, Maa Jwala Devi, Shakumbhari Devi from Saharanpur to Shivani Devi, Chitrakoot and Sheetla Mata, Mau," he said.