Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday approved Rs 20 crore for transformation of Gupteswar temple in Odisha’s Koraput district.
The shrine will be developed as an important religious, historical, and tourist place in Odisha, a CMO release said.
In February, 5T Secretary VK Pandian visited several heritage and tourist places in Koraput, including Gupteswar temple and the Sabari river ghat in Boipariguda block, and initiated steps for renovation. He had then directed the district collector to prepare a detailed project report for improvement and beautification of the shrine in consultation with the temple staff, committee members, public representatives and local people.
Based on the report, the Chief Minister approved Rs 20 crore for the transformative development work, which will be undertaken under the 5T initiatives without affecting the natural beauty of the place, it further said.
The project plan includes upgrading and lighting of the main road of the temple, laying of khondalite stone footpath, beautification of the temple entrance, development of various amenities for devotees and tourists like drinking water and toilets, illumination of the cave, beautification of the banks of Sabari river, construction of new shops for rehabilitating vendors and planting trees will also be done along with measure to prevent landslide and protecting the hill, the release added.
The cave shrine of Gupteswar is located on a lush green hill, 58 km from Jeypore, and 80 km away from Koraput, amidst deep forest.
