Aurangabad. There are immense possibilities of tourism in the district. The historical and religious places present here can attract tourists. Provided that proper development is done by making better planning. Aurangabad has many historical and religious places which tell about its rich history. However, at present all of them are suffering the brunt of neglect. A few months ago, a list was sent by the Tourism Department to the district administration, which includes 19 historical heritage sites of Aurangabad. Along with the list, a report was also sought as to how much potential there is for developing these places as tourist destinations. If any site mentioned in the list has been developed earlier, the department was also instructed to provide its updated report.
Plans buried in files
After this initiative of the Tourism Department, there was a hope that these 19 historical heritage sites of Aurangabad would now be developed as tourist destinations, but with time this plan got shelved and remained buried in the files. It is noteworthy that while providing the list, the Tourism Department was asked to set priority for the development of these places, so that these historical heritages can be developed as tourist destinations in different phases.
These places were included in the list
Among the 19 historical places of the district included in the list of Tourism Department, Dev Surya Temple, Madanpur Umangeshwari Temple, Satbahini Temple of Kutumba Block, Amjhar Sharif of Haspura, Navinagar Ghaznadham, Dawood Khan Fort of Daudnagar, Devkund Dham of Goh and Sihuli Dargah of Rafiganj. Including others. According to the information, survey of these places has been done and initiative was taken to work on developing them as tourist destinations. But, development work has not been done till now. Apart from this, the list of under survey historical heritage has also been sent in the district, which includes Navinagar Gurudwara, Sokha Baba Temple, Kutumba Garh, Amba’s Kalpvriksha Dham, Kutumba Mahuadham, Kutumba Satbahini Sthan, Chapra Panchdev Dham, Sadsa Domuhan Sun Temple, Obra Kharanti. It includes the memorial of martyr Jagatpati Kumar, Manora Buddha Bhagwan Smriti and Panchmukhi temple of Barun.
Report was sought on the basis of various points
While sending the list on behalf of the Tourism Department, details were sought from the district administration on the basis of various points. Distance of the site from the district headquarters, boundaries, geographical location, land acquisition, land use, land type, tourism potential, importance from tourism point of view and infrastructure, among others. However, the process of preparing the report and sending it to the department has been done by the district administration. Regarding this, the District Development Officer cum Officer-in-Charge had sent a letter to the CO of the concerned zones for necessary action. Also asked to do this work on priority basis.
Tourists will be attracted by increasing facilities
However, these places in the district have not been developed as tourist destinations nor have the facilities been increased. For this reason, despite having historical and religious importance, these heritage sites are not able to attract tourists. Intellectuals and social workers of the district say that if all-round development of tourist places is done and facilities are made available, then tourists will definitely be attracted.
Beautification of Dawood Khan Fort incomplete
When the beautification work of Daud Khan Fort located in the old city of Daudnagar had started earlier, there was hope among the people, but at present the work of beautification is incomplete. The grills installed have started breaking and the gavions have also collapsed. Due to some part of the fort being encroached upon, the siege could not be done there. The situation is that some parts of the fort are still vulnerable to encroachment.
Demand to give status of tourist destination
There has always been a demand to give the status of tourist destination to these major places of the district. Despite this the demands were ignored. The glory of Dudheshwarnath temple situated in Devkund Dham of Goh is immeasurable. Devotees from other states also come here during Sawan to perform Jalabhishek. Shivlinga made of sapphire stone is installed here. Similarly, Madanpur Umangeshwari temple is situated on the mountain which is established in the lap of nature. People have deep faith in this temple. There is no need to tell anyone the glory and historicity of Dev Surya Temple.
Prasad is prepared with ghee in an earthen pot.
The glory of Navinagar Gajnadham is such that even today metal utensils are not used in making Prasad. Prasad is prepared with ghee in an earthen pot. Interesting thing is that ghee does not get reduced while making prasad in an earthen pot. Similarly, devotees come to Satbahini temple located on Aurangabad-Amba road throughout the year for darshan and worship. If these heritage sites are developed as tourist destinations, the picture of the surrounding area will also change and tourists will also start arriving.