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| Historic Purmandal in pathetic condition, BJP remains listless | | Beyond 'Bhavya Ram Mandir' | | 
Ashwani Sharma
Early Times Report
UDHAMPUR, May 29: While visits of the political leaders to the places of worship all across the country have gained unprecedented political importance, it is pity the religious places of enormous importance in Jammu region have been facing deliberate neglect and apathy even in the BJP rule which keeps harping on emotive issue of constructing Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Purmandal, which has huge religious and mythological importance for the people of Jammu region has suffered systematic neglect so that it did not attain importance as a destination of pilgrimage tourism in Jammu region.
Today, this ancient pilgrimage near Jammu is in pathetic condition and the revered temple complex has been reduced to the free abode for the cattle and the place stinks with cow dung and excreta scattered every where on the sands of pious Gupt Ganga, whose religious and historic importance has conveniently been forgotten.
The sanctum sanctorum and the other temples around the complex are in poor shape and need immediate repairs and upkeep. Many believe that there was a conspiracy not to let the people know about the historical importance of the place so that it did not claim to be developed as a destination of pilgrimage tourism.
The place lacks even basic amenities like toilets and washrooms. A shabby washroom for ladies has been mostly remains locked and the women are forced to take bath in open. There is no proper facility for drinking water and the tourism department has failed to put up an eatery for the visiting pilgrims. "Eventhough there is hardly any footfall of tourist from outside the state, people from Jammu and its adjoining areas do come here during two and half months of 'manmas' for certain rituals, but they too have to face difficulties due to complete absence of basic amenities" said Surinder Nath, a local.
Locals informed that many times they brought the issue into the notice of concerned authorities but to no avail. "This place can enhance the economy of this region and benefit many people, but I wonder why even BJP government has shown no interest in this ancient and historic place" said Banarsi Dass another local.
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