Mega makeover of Bharadwaj Ashram on the cards
State govt sanctions Rs 3.13 crore for its development, beautification works
PRAYAGRAJ After giving Sangam city a makeover in run-up to Kumbh-2019 in its first term, the newly sworn in Yogi 2.0 government is planning a mega revamp of important religious places in Prayagraj.
The first task in this mission will be providing better facilities at the historical Bharadwaj Muni Ashram located in the heart of the city, said state tourism department officials.
“The government has sanctioned Rs 3.13 crore for the task. The works to be undertaken by the tourism department include constructing a building for holding religious discourses, installing solar lights, constructing toilets, providing proper potable water besides undertaking repair of the approach and connecting roads to the ashram area which is located behind the Bharadwaj Park. Proper benches for visitors and beautification work of the campus are also on the cards,” said regional tourism officer Aparajita Singh.
The move comes in wake of a long pending demand of the people for this development work.
The Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad—apex decision-making body of the 13 recognised monastic orders of the country—had been raising demand for proper development and giving a fillip to amenities at the Bharadwaj Muni Ashram for long.
Mahant Narendra Giri, the former president of the ABAP and Mahant Hari Giri, its current general secretary, had given a proposal to the state government urging it to build a “Satsang” building here a few years back but which could not materialise due to some reasons.
Bharadawj Ashrama in Prayagraj is symbolic of continuum of Hindu culture and civilization since ages. During the time of Lord Ram, the Ganga is believed to have flown next to it. A shrine marks the spot on which once the hermitage of sage Bharadwaj stood. Lord Ram is believed to have met him and had a significant dialogue with him here. There are several temples near Bhardwaj Ashram too. Maharshi Bharadwaj was a master of knowledge of Vedas, Puranas, Ayurveda, Dhanurveda and Vimana Shastra. His “gurukul” was a great centre of learning and education.