Article:
Uttarakhand’s Narayankoti temple has recently been integrated into the Centre’s Adopt a Heritage project, making headlines in the news.
About the Adopt a Heritage Project
The Adopt a Heritage Project was launched on 27th September 2017, in line with World Tourism Day. It represents a combined initiative by the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and various State or UT Governments. The central goal of this project is to enhance tourism amenities at heritage sites, natural landmarks, and tourist attractions all over India. Its implementation revolves around a systematic and phased approach to make such sites more friendly and welcoming for tourists.
The Implementation Process
Selection of sites or monuments for inclusion in the Adopt a Heritage project is based primarily on factors like visibility and tourist footfall. These sites can be adopted by both public and private sector companies, as well as individuals, known as Monument Mitras. The period of adoption lasts initially for five years. The Monument Mitras are chosen by the oversight and vision committee, which is co-chaired by the Tourism Secretary and the Culture Secretary. The bid for selection doesn’t involve any financial transaction but instead relies on the bidder’s vision for amenity development at the heritage site. In this context, the corporate sector is anticipated to utilise Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to maintain the selected site.
Related Schemes
There are several related initiatives to the Adopt a Heritage project, including the DekhoApnaDesh programme, Iconic Tourist Sites project, Swadesh Darshan scheme, and the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD).
About the Narayankoti Temple
Situated approximately 2 km from Guptkashi on the Rudraprayag-Gaurikund highway, the Narayankoti temple is a collection of ancient temples. Uniquely, it is the only site in India to have nine planetary temples grouped together. These are symbolic of the nine planets. The temple is dedicated to Lakshmi Narayana, who has connections with the Pandavas. Historical accounts suggest that these temples were built around the 9th century.
Other Notable Sites in Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand is home to several other noteworthy sites. This includes Chardham, composed of Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath, collectively known as Char dham. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is working to enhance connectivity for Chardham through the Chardham Pariyojana initiative.
In the Chamoli district, the Hemkund Sahib, also known as Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib Ji, is a revered Sikh place of worship. Its dedication to Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, is mentioned in Dasam Granth, a text dictated by Guruji himself.
In addition, the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Valley of Flowers and Nanda Devi National Parks contribute to Uttarakhand’s rich natural and cultural heritage. The state also boasts the country’s oldest national park – Jim Corbett National Park, along with the Rajaji Tiger Reserve.