Swaminarayan Chhapia Temple tops Devipatan Tourism Push; Bahraich’s Jangalinath among Key Sites

By: SR SIDDIQUI

Bahraich, August 7

            The Uttar Pradesh Government has expanded its tourism development focus to local pilgrimage centres across the Devipatan Division, with the Swaminarayan Chhapia Temple in Gonda emerging as the division’s flagship ongoing religious tourism project.

            Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh on Friday reviewed the progress of the nearly ₹22-crore Swaminarayan Chhapia Temple project, along with proposed and ongoing tourism works in Gonda, Bahraich, Balrampur and Shravasti.

            A total of 16 Tourism Department proposals under the 2026-27 action plan, with an estimated cost of nearly ₹18 crore, were reviewed. Separate reviews were also held for two Culture Department proposals and four Religious Affairs Department projects.

            Addressing the review meeting, Jaiveer Singh said that tourism development is not limited to large corridors alone. He emphasized that improving access, basic infrastructure, visitor facilities and proper management at local pilgrimage centres can significantly enhance the visitor experience while preserving the unique identity of these sites.

            In Bahraich, tourism development has been proposed at Pragya Shiv Shakti Temple, the ancient Jangalinath Temple, Jagamrava Baba Temple and Samaya Mata Temple. Gonda’s proposals include Maa Nadna Devi Temple, Jambudwip Ram Janaki Temple, Advait Swarup Ashram, Bhagwan Kapil Muni Ashram and Bhakti Dham. Development has also been proposed at Samaya Mata Temple and Baba Paramahans Temple in Balrampur, while Battha Kuti and Sitadwar have been included in Shravasti’s tourism plan.

            The Culture Department has proposed the renovation and beautification of Ramlila Grounds in Gonda and Balrampur to transform them into year-round venues for cultural programmes, festivals and community events. Progress of the redevelopment of Maharaj Paramhans Bariyadih Ramlila Ground was also reviewed.

            The Minister directed officials to ensure that all ongoing projects costing up to ₹1 crore are completed by November 2026. He instructed district authorities to conduct regular inspections, maintain construction quality and keep public representatives informed of project progress.

            Jaiveer Singh also warned that any delay beyond the prescribed timelines would invite day-wise penalties on the executing agencies. He further directed officials to verify land ownership, assess visitor requirements and ensure long-term maintenance arrangements before approving new projects.