Nagpur : Maharashtra Government will spend a whopping Rs 150 crore for the development of historical temples, monuments situated in Ramtek tehsil in Nagpur district.
Most of these temples are revered by millions and frequented by pilgrims. Ramtek Gadh Mandir has a special historical and religious importance for believers.
The High Court suo-motu treated the news-item as PIL and passed series of directives to strengthen the temple structure. Due to judicial intervention and state response in recent years, many temples at Ramtek with a very rich cultural history will now get a face-lift.
Tourism and Cultural Department has given permission to undertake work of Rs 50 crore in first phase, including Rs 18.50 crore for improvement and strengthening of archaeological structures in the area. Presently, the State Government has released a token amount of Rs 7 crore for the work.
In the latest directive issued by the department, the Archaeological Department will undertake maintenance and improvement of stone stairs of Gadh Mandir, Ramtek and conservation of Narsimha and Rudra Narsimha temples. The total cost of the project is Rs 4.14 crore. The government has sanctioned Rs 64 lakh for strengthening of path from Kapurwadi to Gadh Mandir and Rs 3.39 crore for strengthening of Gangasutra and Panch Shikhri temples at Ambala Lake.
The government has sanctioned budget of Rs 5 crore for Chamarghat, Shiv temple and other temples of Ambala Lake premises. The government will also spend Rs 4.27 crore on historical monuments of Ambala Lake.
The Urban Development Department of Maharashtra Government will provide funds for the improvement and strengthening of historical monuments of the temple.
There is a belief that Lord Ram rested at Ramtek while he was in exile. The Ashram of Rishi Agastya is also situated close to Ramtek. The ‘padukas’ of Lord Ram are believed to have been worshipped here for centuries. The present Ram temple of Ramtek was built by Raje Raghuji Bhosale. The present temple is believed to be around 400 years old.
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