Press Release
Haryana Tourism
12th July,2009
BHIMA DEVI MUSEUM OPENS TO PUBLIC ON 13TH JULY
Mrs. Kiran Choudhry, Minister of State for Tourism, Forests, Sports & Youth Affairs and Environment Haryana while speaking to the press informed that Bhima Devi Museum which has been restored and up-graded by Haryana Tourism as a world class museum, will be thrown open to public by Sh. Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Hon’ble Chief Minster Haryana on 13th July,2009
Bhima Devi has been integrated with Pinjore Gardens. In order to developed Bhima Devi Temple & Pinjore Gardens as an integrated Tourist Resort, a connecting road from Pinjore Gardens to Bhima Devi Temple has also been constructed and well lighted with road lights. The orientation of ancient temple plinths indicate that the temple which existed here was stylized to the ‘Panchayatan” group of temples of 8th to 12th Century AD. The architecture and techniques of construction of Bhima Devi Temple can be compared with the contemporary temples of Khajuraho and Bhuvaneshwar. The remains of temple also include some rock edicts where one can find the mention of Raja Ram Dev which possibly indicates that the temple might have been constructed under the patronage of Raja Ram Dev.
The famous historian Minhas-pus-Saraj has mentioned in his work “Tadkat-e-Nasiri” that Nasir-u-Din Mahmood, son of emperor Iltutmish, demolished the temple and the Baolis in 1254 A.D. The town of Pinjore faced successive invasions by Tamoor in 1399 and by Changez Khan in 1507. Later on in 1661, during the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, Fidai Khan, the then Governor of Sirhind demolished this temple and it is believed that out of its debris, the Pinjore Gardens were partly constructed.
As per Hindu belief, to propagate the eight directions, statues of Inder, Agni, Vayu, Varun & Ishan were installed in the outer walls of the temple complex. The statues of Shiv Parvati, Vishnu, Ganesha, Kartikay have also been found here.
In view of the importance of the place it was decided that over all restoration/ renovation/up-gradation of the Complex be carried out to project it as a World Class ancient Museum. To achieve the object, Government of India, Ministry of Tourism sanctioned Rs.77.82 lacs for up-gradation of infrastructure & illumination of Bhima Devi Temple under the Integrated Development of Panipat-Kurukshetra-Pinjore Circuit. Similarly, the Department of Archaeology Haryana has also provided Rs.82.15 lacs for the development of Bhima Devi Temple. Accordingly, the works that have been executed for development of Bhima Devi Temple at a cost of Rs.160.00 lacs approximately are the water Bauli which was damaged in 1254 A.D. by invaders has been restored and developed. Similarly, the construction of path with dressed local stones, parking for over 50 vehicles, four Museums, Information Centre, Gazebo, two gates, two Kiosks, repair of Boundary wall and installation of dressed local stone Pedestals along the path for display of artifacts have been done. Further, 80 number pedestals have been constructed inside the Museums for placing artifacts/statues and these artifacts/statues have been well illuminated from floor as well as from track lights. The rest of the artifacts/statues have been placed on the specially carved stone pillars all along the walkway in the Museum Campus. These artifacts/statues too have been illuminated with about 150 focus lights.
The campus has been artistically landscaped and well illuminated with Garden lights and tree lights. The central plinth of the temple is illuminated with focus lights. Special treatment of the ground was done for removal of water logging in the Campus of Bhima Devi Temple. Landscape Development includes planting of about 100 species of ornamental plants.
FACILITATING TOURISTS AT SOLAR ECLIPSE KURUKSHETRA
The Minister also stated that Solar Eclipse would be there from 5.35 a.m. to 7.25 a.m. at Kurukshetra on 22nd July,2009. Legend refer to the visit of Lord Krishna from Dwaraka to have a holy dip in the water at Kurukshetra during the solar eclipse. It is also said that who takes a bath during the solar eclipse at Kurukshetra, attains the merit of thousands of Ashvamedha yajna.
In order to promote Kurukshetra as a world destination, Haryana Tourism would be facilitating tourist during Solar Eclipse. Tourist Information Centres will be set-up at Parakeet-Pipli, Railway Station and at Brahmasarovar. Similarly, large screens would be put-up at 5-6 places in Kurukshetra to show case tourist places of Haryana. The Light & Sound show at Jyotisar, Sri Krishana Museum and Panorma Science Centres will remain open throughout the night of 21st July,09. About more than 15 lacs visitors are expectedat Kurukshetra on this occasion. Food Stalls would be set up near Brahmasarovar by IHM-Kurukshetra where good quality food would be provided to the visitors at reasonable rates. Similarly, a stall would also be set up for the publicity and marketing of Haryana Tourism. The facility of accommodation & food would also be available at adjoining Tourist Complexes of Haryana Tourism like Oasis & Karna Lake at Karnal. Parakeet-Pipli and Kingfisher-Ambla The Fast Food at Parakeet-Pipli and the Fast Food-Oasis would run for whole night on 21st July, 2009.
It was also informed that the facilities which have since been completed are the five Sulabh Sauchalayas with 20 seats each at Kurukshetra at a cost of Rs. 1.03 crores, facility of parking for more than 2000 vehicles at a cost of Rs. 1.10 crores and signage’s for the facility of the tourists at a cost of Rs. 4.00 lacs. However, the work of Mahabartha Digital Gallery at Sri Krishana Museum at a cost of Rs. 4.80 crores is under progress. All these works have been done with the help of the funds provided by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India.
SUMMER CAMPS AT MANALI
The Minister also stated that summer camps have successfully been set-up at Solang Valley near Manali (H.P.). The Camps have started w.e.f. 1st June and would continue upto 18th July,09. More than 200 boys and girls are expected to be benefited from the camping. The duration of the camping is for 7 Days/8 nights. The participants are from all over Haryana and are sponsored by the Director, Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Haryana. The participants are given training of rock climbing, mountaineering, river crossing, repelling. Yoga etc. etc.