Jammu and Kashmir seeks funds to develop shrines as pilgrim destination
Finance Minister Abbdul Rahim Rather said Chrar-e-Sharief-Yusmarg-Pakherpora would be developed as a major Pilgrim Tourism Circuit.
He said the Union Tourism Ministry has been approached to provide liberal funding for the purpose.
He said both the shrines of Hazrat Syed Ali Aali Pakherpora, Hazrat Noor-ud-Din Wali Chrar-e-Sharief have been brought under the purview of Yusmarg Development Authority.
He said that upgradation and macadamization of Chrar-e-Sharief- Yusmarg-Pakherpora road is being completed at a cost of Rs 23 crore during the current year which will facilitate trouble free journey to the pilgrims and tourists visiting the shrines of and the world famous Yusmarg tourist spot.
He said upgradation and macadamization of Srinagar-Chrar-e-Sharief including construction of Wathora Bridge shall be completed by November this year.
Urging the need for further research to explore hitherto unknown facets of the life and poetry (Shilooks) of revered saint, Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali, Mr Rather said liberal funding will be provided for the purpose.
He said the Kashmir University will establish Sheikh-ul-Alam International Research Centre for exhaustive research on the life and teachings of Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-Din.
He said literary and religious works of Hazrat Sheikh would be translated in to different languages to disseminate his message across the world in a right perspective.
Mr Rather also announced that the reconstruction of historic Khankah, Chrar-e-Sharief would be completed in a time bound manner at a cost of Rs 26 crore.
He said the upcoming structure would be a marvellous blend of traditional Islamic and modern architecture with a capacity for about 15,000 people to offer prayers at a time.
It shall have a separate prayers Hall for women, Mr Rather added.
The original wooden structure, along with hundreds of residential and commercial establishments, was gutted in a devastating fire incident in 1995. (UNI -Posted on / )
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