Union Minister of State for Tourism and Culture (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation Dr Mahesh Sharma on Monday visited Chhattisgarh’s ancient archeological site of Sirpur in Mahasamund district.
The Minister visited the 6th century temple laxman temple, museum, Teevardev Vihar and other archaeological sites.
Archaeological Advisor Arun Sharma provided a detailed account of monuments, remains of historical sites and Sirpur history to the Minister on the occasion.
Dr Sharma appreciated the impressive history of Sirpur and its rich archaeological legacy. The rich history of the site should be publicised to the entire world, he stated.
The Minister expressed his desire to visit Sirpur again.
Chhattisgarh State Tourism Minister Ajay Chandrakar, Mahasamund MlA Dr Vimal Chopra, Secretary, Tourism and Culture R C Sinha besides a large number of senior officials were present on the occasion.
Notably, Chandrakar in August this year had also demanded that the State should be accorded a ‘special category status’ like Jammu and Kashmir and other North-eastern states for development of its tourism industry.
He had raised the demand while attending the conference of State tourism ministers held in New Delhi.
In his address at the conference, Chandrakar had insisted that expansion of tourism industry in Chhattisgarh would generate employment opportunities for tribal youth and help in curbing left Wing Extremism (lWE).
He had stated that Chhattisgarh has immense potential for eco-tourism as 44 per cent of the area of the State is covered with forest.
Chandrakar stated that the Chhattisgarh Government has chalked out an elaborate plan for expansion of tourism in lWE affected areas of Bastar and Surguja.
He had requested the Centre to provide assistance for developing ‘Buddhist Tourism Circuit’ in Sirpur.
The Minister stated that State government has been making efforts to achieve recognition for Sirpur as a ‘World Heritage Site.’
Situated on the banks of River Mahanadi, historical significance of Sirpur is dated back to 6th-7th century.
This place is of great religious importance for Buddhism, Shaivism and Vaishnavism.
The Dalai lama and an envoy of South Korea and Sri lanka had recently visited Sirpur and appreciated its beauty and historical importance.
A number of ancient memorials and ruins has been discovered during excavation on this archaeological site, he had stated.
Chandrakar also advocated that development of tourism industry in Chhattisgarh will help in creating employment opportunities for youth of the State and will save them from influence of Naxals.
In this way, expansion of tourism facilities in Chhattisgarh will also help in curbing Naxal-related violence, he said.