Funds flow to boost religious tourism at 3 shrines

Nashik: The state government has sanctioned Rs 5.41 crore to develop infrastructure at Chandanapuri, Dabhadi and Galane — the three locations of religious importance in neighbouring Malegaon tehsil.
Minister of state for cooperation Dadaji Bhuse, who represents Malegaon in the Assembly, on Tuesday said all the three religious centres have been included in the “B grade religious tourism destinations” from this year.
“The rural development department has sanctioned Rs 5.41 crore for the three places as part of its religious tourism development programme. Earlier, these locations were in the ‘C grade tourism destinations’ category. With the upgrade in the status, the three places will now get more funds from the state government,” he said.
The first phase of the funds will be released before the state budget and work will begin at the respective venues by the end of February.
Chandanapuri is one of the important religious destinations for the followers of Lord Khandoba. “The presiding deity of the temple is a traditional family-deity of many residents in north Maharashtra. We host grand fairs thrice a year and receive over 1 lakh devotees during these events. Construction of residential complexes and cement roads would be done on a priority basis in Chandanpuri,” said Sumit Lokhande, one of the trustees of the temple.
Developmental work will be carried out on the same lines at Rokdoba Maruti Temple in Dabhadi. The shrine has a religious importance for the devotees of Lord Hanuman. A parking lot, pavements, street lights and residential complexes for the devotees are on the cards for the temple.
Galane, located barely a few kilometres from Malegaon, has a temple of Guru Gorakshanath. Devotees from across the country, particularly from Uttar Pradesh, visit Galane that is also popular for Maratha forts and history tourism.