Religious tourism: UP to develop Vindhyavasini Temple corridor

The Uttar Pradesh (UP) government has decided to develop the Vindhyavasini Mandir Corridor in Vindhyachal, Mirzapur.

The Vindhyavasini corridor is modeled on the lines of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor which would have 50-feet wide parikrama path (circumambulation route) will be made around the temple of Goddess Vindhyavasini.

The UP cabinet which met on October 30 had approved the decision to develop the religious corridor in Mirzapur district, a move which is also aimed at developing religious tourism in the eastern UP region.

The Vindhyavasini temple is surrounded by buildings and narrow lanes and devotees have to walk through them while circumambulating the temple.

“Fifty-feet wide Vindhyavasini temple corridor will be developed on over 2500 square meter area around the temple,” a senior tourism department official said. “Around 90 residential and commercial buildings in the area would be acquired to develop the corridor,” the official said.

“The corridor will be equipped with all the facilities. There is a plan to widen all the roads in Vindhyachal town,” the official added.

Vindhyachal is famous for the Vindhyavasini temple which draws devotees from all parts of the country and even outside, officials said. The rush of devotees usually peaks during Navaratra, the nine-day period Hindus devote to offer prayers to the goddess.

Along with the corridor project, there is a plan to promote tourism in picturesque spots like Vindham fall, Kusiyara fall and Tada fall in the district. When contacted regional tourism officer Keertiman Srivastava said the Vindhyavasini temple corridor will be equipped with all the facilities.

“It would be grand and magnificent,” he said.