Government prioritises development of religious tourist sites: Minister Pandey

BY AMAR RAJ NAHARKI,Tanahun, Oct. 6: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey has said that the government has prioritised the development of religious tourist sites since religious tourism is a key foundation for Nepal's prosperity. 

While visiting the Dhorbarahi Temple of Shuklagandaki Municipality-9 in Tanahun district on Saturday, Minister Pandey said as most tourists come to Nepal to visit religious areas, attention must be given to the development of these sites. Stating that Dhorbarahi Temple had significant potential as a religious tourism area, he said that the central government would pay special attention to its development.

Minister Pandey also said that since the temple was linked to the tourist site of Pokhara, it has considerable potential in terms of tourism. He said that he would draw the attention of the tourism board to include Dhorbarahi Temple among the ten tourist destinations in the province. 

During Minister Pandey's visit to the temple, an interaction programme was organised by Shuklagandaki Municipality where the historical and religious significance of Dhorbarahi Temple was discussed. 

Minister Pandey along with the former minister and member of the House of Representatives Shankar Bhandari, constituent assembly member Dhruva Bagale, Asha Koirala, Gandaki Provincial Assembly member Shyam Raja Mahat and Shuklagandaki Municipality Mayor Krishna Raj Pandit emphasised the need for collective effort in the development of the temple area. 

During the programme, MP Bhandari pointed out the importance of government attention to promoting the historically significant Dhorbarahi Temple. He said that the government should develop this area, making a master plan and assured that he would leave no stone unturned in this regard. 

Dhorbarahi is considered a goddess who fulfills wishes and alleviates human suffering and pain. The pond at Dhorbarahi Temple receives water from the hills time and again which is taken as the divine energy. For centuries, water has flowed from deep within the mountain every 15 minutes, filling the pond near the temple and creating a beautiful waterfall in the lower part, known as the mysterious 'Lahari.' It has been a long-standing tradition to offer sacrifices in the pond in the name of the goddess.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey has said that the government has prioritised the development of religious tourist sites since religious tourism is a key foundation for Nepal's prosperity.