The Uttar Pradesh government is all set to develop Naimish Dham as a Vedic city and the global centre for spiritual and religious tourism on the lines of Kashi, Ayodhya and Mathura, according to an official press release issued on Monday.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the authorities concerned to start electric bus and helicopter services between Lucknow and Sitapur soon in order to facilitate travel to Naimish Dham for pilgrims.

Tourism, Urban Development, PWD and Irrigation departments will work together on the project.

The development will be carried out in four phases. In the first phase, projects such as Chakra pilgrimage site, Maa Lalita Devi temple, Dadhichi Kund and Sita Kund will taken up while Dadhichi Kund, Rudravart Mahadev, Devdeveshwar Temple and Kashi Kund would be developed in the second phase.

Similarly, separate action plans have been chalked out for urban and regional development.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also directed authorities to ensure availability of clean water in all the ponds of Naimisharanya, renovation of Chakra pilgrimage site and beautification of Dadhichi Kund and Maa Lalita Devi temple.

The government has also decided to expand the area of Misrikh municipality and develop Kosi Parikrama path 5, 14 and 84.

Furthermore, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked the authorities to acquire land as per requirement to carry out tourism development and beautification works in Naimish Dham and make adequate arrangements for tourists’ accommodation, lighting, parking and security. He reiterated the government’s commitment to develop the Naimish Dham, which happens to be the shrine of 88,000 sages.

Meanwhile, the PWD, Tourism, Urban Development, and Irrigation departments have been directed to prepare a concrete action plan for tourism development in Naimish Dham. The Tourism department will also prepare a convenient tourism package for Naimish Dham.

The Naimisharanya pilgrimage site is a centre of faith for crores of Sanatan dharma followers. There are many places of mythological and spiritual significance at Naimish Dham such as Maa Lalita Devi temple, Chakra, Vyas Gaddi, Soot Gaddi and Hanuman Garhi among others.

Lakhs of devotees visit the pilgrimage site every full moon and new moon as well as on occasions such as Navratri and 14 Kosi parikrama of Falgun.