The Maharashtra government on Monday granted Grade A tourism site status to city’s Tekdi Ganesh temple.
The Maharashtra tourism and culture department issued a government resolution upgrading the temple’s status from Grade C to Grade A tourism site, promoting it as a national monument from earlier recognition as a district monument. The upgrade makes the temple eligible to receive central govt funds for development.
Recently, the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) had drawn a INR 170 crore plan for the beautification of the temple site and its surroundings. This plan can now be executed with central funds.
Social activist Bhushan Dadwe said, “The temple has a 300-year-old history. It is believed an ancient temple was built at the place where it is currently located by Hemandri Pandit.” The temple is located on a hillock in front of the Nagpur railway station’s west side and near the Madhya Pradesh State Transport Corporation (MPSRTC) bus stand.
“Until 1965, the temple — which stood on land owned by the ministry of defence — was out-of-bounds for common people. But the then defence minister Yashwantrao Chavan got it released from MoD jurisdiction allowing common people access to the site. Construction of the Ganesh temple began in the 1970s and it took almost 15 years to complete. Around 5,000-10,000 devotees visit the temple every day. It also gets an annual footfall of 1,000 foreign tourists,” Dadwe said.
On December 17, 2005, the Maharashtra state govt had declared the Tekdi Ganesh temple a Grade C pilgrimage site.
Goa plans to introduce co-working spaces on Morjim and Ashwem beaches, aiming to attract European and high-spending tourists for an all-around experience beyond the beaches. The state government aims to offer nomad visas, inviting people to work and enjoy the beaches. The tourism department focuses on regenerative tourism, involving locals, culture, cuisine, festivals, temples, and churches.
