Lucknow: Ahead of Maha Kumbh to be held in Prayagraj the Uttar Pradesh government is working on the rejuvenation of the twelve (dwadash) Madhav temples in Prayagraj as a part of its efforts to develop and expand basic facilities in the key pilgrimage sites of the state.
On the directives of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the tourism department has prepared a complete road map for the development of all the Madhav temples in Prayagraj. Following a presentation the Tourism Department recently gave on this topic, Yogi directed the department to begin work on the transformation of the twelve Madhav temples in time for the upcoming Maha Kumbh in 2025.
The CM’s vision is to present the twelve Madhav circuit as a sacred pilgrimage site to saints and devotees from across the globe ahead of Maha Kumbh. In this 125 kilometer long spiritual circuit, along with pilgrimage, the development of essential tourism facilities will also be done.
It may be noted Lord Shiva is worshipped as the main deity of Prayagraj and his twelve forms are present in Prayagraj. According to mythological belief, Lord Krishna took on these twelve forms to protect the Sangam in Prayagraj.
The Matsya Purana mentions that the circumambulation of the twelve Madhav temples grants the pilgrim the virtue of seeing all the pilgrimage places and deities. Many sages and monks, including Maharshi Bharadwaj, continued to perform this circumambulation.
During the Mughal and British colonial periods, these twelve temples fell into disrepair, and even after independence, they remained neglected by successive governments. Rampant encroachments around the Shiva temples have emerged as a significant challenge for the government.
Shankh Madhav in Jhusi and Gada Madhav in Naini have completely become victims of encroachment. In some areas, there are no clear pathways, while in others, only narrow two-foot-wide passages remain. Now, the UP government has taken the initiative to restore the twelve Madhav temples to their former glory.
Facilities which will be developed on the directives of CM Yogi will include the construction of grand main entrances at the temples, along with boundary walls, public toilets, the provision of drinking water, shoe racks, interlocking and landscaping, pathways, roads, footpaths, benches, wall paintings, dustbins, passenger sheds, lighting arrangements, and parking facilities.
In the first phase, the transformation of nine Madhav temples will take place. The CM has directed the tourism department officials to provide a grand appearance to Sankasht Har Madhav and Shankh Madhav in Jhusi, Bindu Madhav in Draupadi Ghat, Anant Madhav in Chaufatka, Manohar Madhav in Chowk, Padm Madhav in Bikar village, Gada Madhav in Chhivanki, Adiveni Madhav and Chakra Madhav in Arail.
