Rs. 50 crore project approved for Chintpurni Temple

Dharamshala, July 10, 2018: Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today informed that Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has approved a project of Rs.50 crore for the development of Chintpurani Devi Temple situated at the border of Una and Kangra districts, around 70 kms from here. Project is under the scheme ' PRASAD'. CM said, “With this proposed project, the State will be able to develop infrastructure and basic facilities for the tourists at Chintpurani.” Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism & Civil Aviation) Ram Subhag Singh made a presentation before the Ministry of Tourism regarding the concept plan for the proposed Chintpurani project. Ram Subhag Singh said, “Presently there was congestion near the shrine and the place also lacks basic facilities for the tourists. Under the proposed project the efforts would be to develop basic amenities adjoining the temple complex for pilgrims, improvement of streets, introduction of non-polluting public traffic system, new alternate path, disabled friendly infrastructure and a new block for the pilgrims for Darshan, Kirtan etc.” Under the Asian Development Bank (ADB) assisted project, a Tourist Reception Centre (TRC)-cum-parking project of Rs. 52 Crore was constructed last year at Chintpurani by Department of Tourism & Civil Aviation. Every year approximately more than 16 lakh tourists visit this Chintpurani Devi Temple in a year. It is a major pilgrimage Centre. The Chintpurni shakti peeth (Chhinnamastik shakti peeth) is, surrounded by the western Himalaya in the north and Shivalik range in the east. The Chintpurni Shakti Peeth houses the temple of Chinnamastika Devi temple is one of the 7 major and 51 total Shakti Peethas. When Lord Vishnu severed the burning body of Maa Sati into 51 pieces so that Lord Shiva would calm down and stop his Tandava, the pieces were scattered over various places in the Indian subcontinent. It is believed that Sati’s head fell at this place and is thus considered one of the most important of the 51 Shakti Peethas.