Balangir MP Sangeeta Singh Deo has urged the Union Tourism Minister to include Subarnapur and Balangir as heritage, spiritual and rural circuits in the Swadesh Darshan scheme.
Raising the matter during the Zero Hour in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Singh Deo pointed out that Sonepur, located near the confluence point of the Tel and the Mahanadis, has several ancient temples of historical, architectural and religious importance, established between 8th and 13th Century.
Baidyanath Temple, Sureshwari Temple, Kapileshwar Temple, Godhenesswar temple, Papakshya Ghat, Patalisrikeshtra are some of the historical shrines.
The Samadhi peetha of famous saint poet Bhima Bhoi, whose poems have been inscribed in the Parliament and in the UNO premises, and pre-historical cave in Puja Dunguri and Aareto are also located in the district.
Two heritage sites, Harishankar and ChousathiYogini Temples, in Balangir district need to be preserved and developed to help boost the economy of district, said Singh Deo.