Kurukshetra to be developed as global heritage tourism destination under Swadesh Darshan Scheme

Gurgaon: The places related to Mahabharata in Kurukshetra, Haryana will be developed as a global heritage tourism destination with an outlay of Rs 97.3 crore under Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the Central Government.
The announcement was made by the chief parliamentary secretary (CPS) Seema Trikha while speaking on the second day of ‘Incredible India, Tourism Investors Summit’ being organized in Vigyan Bhawan of Delhi today.
She said that under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, tourism infrastructure will be improved in Kurukshetra city besides revitalization of Sannit Sarovar, landscaping and illuminating of open spaces around Brahma Sarovar and construction of Theme Park Complex replicating Mahabharata War area at Jyotisar, where Lord Krishna gave the eternal message of holy Gita to Arjun.
Elaborating the steps taken by the state government to promote tourism in Haryana,Trikha said that the state government has given status of Industry to tourism which will bring many incentives and subsidies to those who wish to invest in Tourism sector in Haryana.
Some of these include-One step clearance under single roof, relaxations in stamp duty, 50 % exemption from EDCs, 100 % electricity duty exemption upto 7- 10 years and setting up of 3 tier efficient Grievance Redressal System etc.
She further said that a new concept of Farm Tourism was being developed for the first time in the country in Haryana to give a feel of rural living for those who never lived in villages but were fed up of hectic urban lifestyle and now wanted to be connected to their roots.
To give tourists a taste of the authentic Haryanvi lifestyle, the state government has collaborated with 18 private farms in the state. Similarly, Rakhgarhi in Hisar is one of the tourist attractions where remains of 2000 to 3000 years old Indus Valley Civilisation have been found.
There excavations were done by ASI and government of Haryana and now it is proposed to build a museum, an interpretation center and a tourist lodge. Pinjore Garden near Panchkula built during Mughal rule is another attraction where mango mela and heritage festival is organized every year.