Orchha, Aug 31 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday said the grand Shri Ram Raja Lok being developed in Orchha will give a major boost to the town’s religious significance and help establish it as a prominent pilgrimage destination for devotees from India and abroad.
CM Yadav made the remarks while interacting with the media at Orchha in Niwari district on the second and concluding day of the state BJP’s executive committee meeting.
The Chief Minister said the state government was focusing on the comprehensive development of major pilgrimage centres, with religious tourism aimed at strengthening local economies and generating employment.
“After the construction of Shri Mahakal Mahalok, there has been a major change in Ujjain’s economy and a significant increase in the number of devotees. In the same manner, major pilgrimage centres of Madhya Pradesh will be developed comprehensively, promoting religious tourism and creating new employment opportunities at the local level,” CM Yadav said.
He said Orchha’s religious importance was centred around the revered Shri Ram Raja Temple, where Lord Ram is worshipped as the king.
The CM said the government was also working to preserve the town’s centuries-old cultural and architectural heritage and connect future generations with it. “Shri Ram Raja Temple is part of our historical and cultural heritage. The architecture created by the rulers here is a living example of our rich legacy. The old structures and buildings are being revived using the same materials that were originally used in their construction so that their original form is preserved,” he said.
CM Yadav also inspected the ongoing construction work at Shri Ram Raja Lok and reviewed its progress. He directed officials to ensure that the project was completed within the stipulated timeframe without compromising on quality.
He said Orchha, once the capital of Bundelkhand under the Bundela rulers, had a rich legacy of temples, palaces and other historic structures that needed to be preserved.
The government is engaging skilled craftsmen for restoration and reconstruction work, he said, adding that traditional construction techniques would be used wherever possible.
Highlighting Orchha’s architectural uniqueness, CM Yadav said its historic buildings were designed to remain cool during summers and warm during winters, despite having been built centuries before the advent of air-conditioning.
He said the development of Orchha through the Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation would further strengthen the town’s religious and heritage tourism potential.
–IANS
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