Unveiling shortly: Seaside walkway at Somnath
Somnath temple
By Nischal Sanghavi
The promenade, whose work was launched by Home MinisterAmit Shah , is almost ready; the temple trust is also developing ancient Buddhist caves in the vicinity
Besides the fact that it is one of the 12 'jyotirling', it is the scenic beauty ofSomnath temple that lingers on in the minds of visitors. The experience of a visit to the temple is now all set to get better, with the Somnath temple trust developing more facilities in and around the precinct. Soon, visitors will be able to take a long walk on the newly developed walkway along the sea.
Among the new additions is a promenade, which is currently getting final touches. Styled on the lines of Mumbai's Marine Drive, its work was launched by Home Minister Amit Shah about 18 months ago.Vijaysinh Chavda , general manager of the temple trust, said that the trust was developing several facilities that would make visitors' experience even more enjoyable and comfortable. He added that the promenade was nearly ready, with just a few final touches left, including the entry plaza. The 1.25 km walkway along the coast has been built at a cost of Rs 45 crore and is expected to be opened for public by December. It offers an exciting walk along the Arabian Sea .
The trust is also in the process of putting up a 20x10 feet LED screen outside the temple. This screen will broadcast live the happenings inside the temple so that people in the queue and those standing outside can also have 'darshan' of the lord.
The screen will be set up in four-five days.
The trust also manages the Buddhist caves of third and fourth century, located about 1.5 km from the temple. The State tourism department has sanctioned a grant of Rs 1 crore to develop the caves and their surroundings, work on which is in progress. According to Chavda, the trust is developing facilities like food outlet, information kiosks, neat surroundings as well as the compound wall. He added that the facilities are ready and should be operational in November.
Four rest houses-Sagar Darshan, Mageshwari, Lilavati and Dormetory-with 400 rooms are fully operational now, Chavda said. Of these, around 300 rooms are air-conditioned. There is also a library in one of the guest houses near the temple. In fact, the trust now also offers a complete wedding facility at its AC hall at Yatri Suvidha Kendra for just Rs 11,000.
The promenade, whose work was launched by Home Minister
Besides the fact that it is one of the 12 'jyotirling', it is the scenic beauty of
Among the new additions is a promenade, which is currently getting final touches. Styled on the lines of Mumbai's Marine Drive, its work was launched by Home Minister Amit Shah about 18 months ago.
The trust is also in the process of putting up a 20x10 feet LED screen outside the temple. This screen will broadcast live the happenings inside the temple so that people in the queue and those standing outside can also have 'darshan' of the lord.
The screen will be set up in four-five days.
The trust also manages the Buddhist caves of third and fourth century, located about 1.5 km from the temple. The State tourism department has sanctioned a grant of Rs 1 crore to develop the caves and their surroundings, work on which is in progress. According to Chavda, the trust is developing facilities like food outlet, information kiosks, neat surroundings as well as the compound wall. He added that the facilities are ready and should be operational in November.
Four rest houses-Sagar Darshan, Mageshwari, Lilavati and Dormetory-with 400 rooms are fully operational now, Chavda said. Of these, around 300 rooms are air-conditioned. There is also a library in one of the guest houses near the temple. In fact, the trust now also offers a complete wedding facility at its AC hall at Yatri Suvidha Kendra for just Rs 11,000.
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