‘Develop well-known religious places into tourism hubs’

Superintendent of Police Borase Bhushan Gulabrao has suggested that the Tourism Department initiate measures to give a boost to religious tourism in Mandya.

Mr. Gulabrao convened a meeting of religious leaders at his office on Sunday.

He said there were several tourism spots of religious importance in the district. “However, many tourism spots are yet to be developed,” he said.

The district has war memorials, archeologically important temples, ancient churches, centuries-old mosques, Buddhist temple and other pilgrimage-cum-tourism destinations.

Emphasising the need to promote religious tourism in the district, Mr. Gulabrao requested department officials to develop well-known religious places into tourism hubs.

Uniforms for guides

He said that thousands of tourists came to Srirangapatna every day to visit the tourism spots. But, guides did not have enough knowledge about the historical significance of places in the town. The department should provide information and uniforms to the guides, Mr. Gulabrao said. He suggested that the department appoint trained guides at popular tourism spots in the district.

‘Several plans made’

Adilakshmi, Assistant Director of Tourism Department, also underlined the need to promote religious tourism in Mandya.

She said the department had several plans to strengthen pilgrimage-cum-tourism destinations in the district.

Suggestions received

Mr. Gulabrao and Additional Deputy Commissioner Shankarappa received suggestions during the meeting on popularising religious tourism. Karnataka Dalit Sangharsh Samiti leader Venkatagiri, activists Jayaramu and Mahesh, senior citizen Shivaramaiah, social worker Mehboob Pasha and others requested the district administration to develop Kere Thonnur, Kere Thonnur dargah, Kunti Betta, Balmuri waterfalls, war memorials at Srirangapatna and other popular tourism spots by improving infrastructure.

Additional Superintendent of Police Puttamadappa, Deputy Superintendents of Police B.J. Shobharani and Geetha were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Staff Correspondent / Mandya – November 11th, 2013