Rs 23-crore sought from Centre for tourism development

 

COOCH BEHAR, April 2: Cooch Behar district administration sought Rs 23-crore for development of the tourism infrastructure of the tourist spots and renovation of age-old temples in Cooch Behar district. A proposal was sent recently to the Union tourism department through the state government asking to extend the estimated fund.

 

In the proposal it was also stated that the district administration is eager to offer a three-day package tour under Circuit Tourism plan for the tourists – domestic ones and foreigners. With this package the tourists will get opportunities to visit all the tourist spots and historic places including the age-old temples situated at different corners of the district.

 

Mr Sunil Agarwala, the district planning officer, Cooch Behar, said after approval of the proposal an attractive sky toy train facility will come up at Rasik-bil tourist complex in Tufanganj. The sky toy train will run at a few metres high from the ground level. It will surely be an added attraction to pull visitors to Rasik-bil, Mr Agarwala opined. The pedal boating facilities will also be improved there. Boating facility will be introduced at Rasamati Jhil picnic spot too, Mr Agarwala said.

 

With the proposed fund there will be a water park behind the existing Raj Palace Garden adjacent to the Cooch Behar Palace. Here, a modern swimming pool and various kinds of water ride facilities will come up. Newer amusement facilities will be added for the tourists at places like Damdama Jhil, Tekonia, Kholta and Tinbigha Park.

 

The district planning officer, Mr Agarwala said they observed that visitors were crowding at Rasik-bil, Rasamati Jhil, Baneswar Shiva Mandir, Kholta, Gosanimari, Cooch Behar Palace and Tinbigha. Now, it is necessary to offer modern amenities to the visitors to keep their interest alive. It may be mentioned here that face lifting of some of the tourist spots in this district is going on with funds sanctioned by the forest department.

 

On the otherhand, renovation of the famous temple of Shankar Dev at Madhupur Dham is also going on. State tourism department has allocated Rs 25-lakh for the purpose. With the fund the main temple is being renovated. Kitchen and toilet facilities inside the temple complex will be improved and the pond will be cleaned. A new dormitory will also come up here to accommodate devotees and visitors.

 

The existing temple at Madhupur Dham was established in 1964 with financial assistance of the last Maharaja of Cooch Behar, Jagaddipendra Narayan, Assam state government and followers of Baishnav cult preacher Shankar Dev. Maharaja Narendra Narayan or Maharaja Nara Narayan was the actual founder of the Shankara Mandir there. The temple is situated at a distance of about ten-kilometre from Cooch Behar town.

 

Baishnav cult preacher Shankar Dev had to face difficulties at Assam when he was preaching Baishnavism there. The king of Assam expelled him from his kingdom. Shankar Dev had to take shelter of Maharaja Nara Narayan of Cooch Behar in sixteenth century. During his stay at Madhupur he translated Shrimad Bhagavat. He had breathed his last at Madhupur.

 

Madhupur Dham is a must see for Baishnav devotees from Assam. During the Raas Mela of Cooch Behar numerous visitors come to visit the temple. Dol Yatra and other religious festivals also attract devotees here. The last remains of Shankar Dev, the inkpot and pen used by him, Narayani Mudra (coin), a handwritten scripture of the Bhagavat, wooden footwear and other holy items are there inside the temple. The 15.5-metre high temple is also an attractive example of architecture. []

 

PHOTO : The temple of Shankar Dev at Madhupur Dham in Cooch Behar.