BAREILLY: Authorities have intensified efforts to transform Sambhal, believed to be the place where Lord Kalki, the tenth and final incarnation of Lord Vishnu, will be born into a major religious and tourist destination.
Under the Bandhan scheme and other state tourism initiatives, officials have so far “recovered” 41 pilgrimage sites and 19 ancient wells.
They have also rediscovered Amarpati Kheda, an ASI-protected heritage site that had been “missing” for 75 years. The site includes Dadhichi Ashram and 21 samadhis, one of which is believed to be that of Prithviraj Chauhan’s guru, Amarpati.
Sambhal currently has nine ASI-protected monuments, and plans are underway to restore and develop many of these locations to boost religious tourism.
The excavations and heritage recovery in Sambhal gained momentum after the Nov 24 communal violence in which five persons were killed, which led to heightened security measures and closer scrutiny of encroachments on historical and religious sites.
Following the violence, officials conducted a comprehensive land survey and heritage assessment, which revealed several missing or neglected pilgrimage sites and ASI-protected monuments. This prompted the administration to accelerate efforts to reclaim and restore these locations, integrating them into a broader religious tourism plan.
Moradabad’s divisional commissioner Aunjaneya Singh told TOI, “We are sending proposals to uplift various ancient pilgrim sites across Sambhal, Bijnor, Rampur, and Moradabad districts.
A tourism corridor is being planned in the Moradabad division, which will also include the Raza Library and Nawab ka Mahal in Rampur. We will begin work once projects are sanctioned by the tourism department. Additionally, the revival of lost rivers in the region is equally important for tourism.”
Manibhushan Tiwari, executive officer of Sambhal Municipal Council, said, “DM Rajender Pensiya has visited all identified pilgrimage sites and wells. There are 19 ancient wells in the city, which are being restored and beautified.
Transportation access, gate construction, and signboards will be installed at these locations. Each pilgrimage site will have an entrance gate reflecting its identity, with historical facts displayed at the entrance. The incarnations of Lord Kalki will also be highlighted to educate visitors about our heritage.”
Proposals for the development of 10 wells and three pilgrimage sites are ready and will be submitted to the government under the Bandhan scheme. Additional proposals for Bhadrika Ashram and Mrityunjay Mahatirth are also being drafted. Plans to construct a gate and boundary at Shankh Madhav Tirth and to restore Pap Mochan Tirth will soon be sent for government approval.
Speaking about the Chaturmukh well, Tiwari said, “It will be developed as a model well while preserving its ancient structure using the original historical bricks. The site will be equipped with essential facilities to enhance its appeal.”
“For all pilgrimage sites, entrance gates will be designed to reflect their historical and cultural significance. The history of each site will be displayed, along with depictions of Lord Kalki’s avatars, to provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the region’s spiritual legacy,” he added.