Baba Goran shrine in Samba district cries for attention

Vishal Jasrotia

Samba, July 26

The famous shrine of Baba Shivo, popularly known as Baba Goran, a historic site in the vicinity of the hilly terrain of Samba district, is crying for attention while the authorities concerned sleep over the issue.

Devotees from both Hindu and Muslim communities throng the shrine in large numbers, but the shrine has been neglected by the district authorities till date despite the fact that the shrine is the biggest pilgrimage centre in Samba district.

“Hundreds of people throng the shrine everyday to seek the blessings of Baba Goran. The holy shrine witnesses thousands of devotees every Sunday and Tuesday. The authorities have not made adequate arrangements for pilgrims who come from different parts of the state,” said Davinder Singh, a local resident.

Accommodation availability is utterly minimal. Proper arrangements have not been made for water, electricity, toilet, bathrooms and medical facilities on the shrine premises.

The dilapidated road is waiting for immediate renovation and upgrade by the authorities concerned. Commuters and inhabitants are facing lot of difficulties due to broken and potholed roads.

With the passage of time, Baba Goran shrine was neglected by successive governments, said Yuvraj Singh, another local resident.

Goran village, where the shrine was located, lack development activities for decades and people managed development activities of the shrine on their own, he said.

The district administration should take necessary steps to provide adequate facilities for pilgrims at the shrine, he added.