Haryana Heritage and Tourism Minister, Dr. Arvind Kumar Sharma said that historical pilgrimage sites of Mahabharata period in Kurukshetra and the surrounding districts will be developed as key tourism destinations. In this regard, officials from the Union Ministry of Tourism and the Haryana Tourism Department are working together in a well-coordinated manner.
Dr. Sharma informed this after attending the Second Mahabharata Circuit Conference, held in Karnal.To promote tourism, the Union Ministry of Tourism (Northern Region) organized the conference late on Monday evening to discuss the development of historical and ancient pilgrimage sites related to the Mahabharata in the mythological and religious region of Kurukshetra and its neighboring districts.
The conference was held at the Karna Lake Banquet Hall in Karnal, where a familiarization tour was also conducted.Dr. Arvind Sharma attended the event as the chief guest. During the programme, he engaged in detailed discussions with officials from the Union Ministry of Tourism, the Haryana Tourism Department, and various tourism stakeholders and service providers.
Dr. Sharma also released a book detailing the proceedings of the Second Mahabharata Circuit Conference, which highlights the significance of Kurukshetra.Dr. Sharma said that just as Vrindavan attracts thousands of devotees and tourists, similar facilities would be developed at Dharmakshetra Kurukshetra to accommodate a larger number of visitors.
He also proposed that, alongside Kurukshetra, the towns of Karnal and Kala Amb in Panipat should be included in the Mahabharata Circuit, as these areas also receive a significant influx of tourists.He further stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Mr. Nayab Singh Saini, the state government is actively working on the development of major tourist destinations across the state.
These efforts are aimed at enhancing infrastructure and providing better amenities to visitors in the coming years.Regional Director (North) of the Union Ministry of Tourism, Dr. R. K Suman, remarked that the Ministry is committed to bringing Kurukshetra to the global stage and has already made significant strides in this mission.
The event was also attended by several prominent officials, including the Managing Director of Haryana Tourism Corporation Ltd, Dr. Sunil Kumar, PP Khanna, Colonel Manbir Chaudhary; the GM of Haryana Tourism Corporation Ltd, Dr. Inderjit Singh and other senior officers.