West Bengal CM announces ₹1,000 crore corpus to renovate old Hindu temples

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday announced creation of Tirtha Kshetra Circuit' or 'Pilgrimage Circuit', with a Rs 1,000 crore corpus for the renovation of old Hindu temples in the state, which will be utilised over a period of two years to renovate old Hindu temples and monasteries in the state.

“Bengal government will spend Rs 1,000 crore in the next two years to renovate all the old Hindu temples. I have named it the ‘Tirtha Kshetra Circuit’. The ancient temples will be renovated by religious institutions and even by the public,” the Chief Minister said at the inauguration of a community Kali Puja in Nadia district on Friday.

Adhikari cited the examples of work had already been undertaken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kedar Dham, Badrinath Dham, Ayodhya Dham, Benaras and Ujjain Mahakal.


The Chief Minister also elaborated the state government’s plans for the forthcoming religious festivals in the state.

“We have taken the initiative to decorate Chandannagar in Hooghly district and Krishnanagar in Nadia district specially for the forthcoming Jagaddhatri Puja. “We have also taken the initiative to decorate Nabadwip and Shantipur in Nadia district and Cooch Behar specially for the Ras Purnima festival,” he said.

The state has declared this year's Gangasagar Mela an international fair. “Preparations have already started for it. I will also participate in religious activities at the abode of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu,” CM said.