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| Krimchi temples-a victim of govt's neglect, apathy | | | KUNAL SHRIVATSA
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Apr 18: Contrary to tall claims of state tourism department to promote cultural heritage and develop tourist places in Jammu region, the ancient Pandva temples at Krimchi in district Udhampur are continuously facing neglect and official apathy.
Only a few days back, the Minister for Tourism Nawang Rigzin Jora while addressing a function in connection with the three day Baisakhi Festival, organized by Tourism Department, said that Jammu being the potential pilgrim tourism destination is receiving focused attention of the government. He said "To meet the challenges in tourism our emphasis is on diversification and providing requisite infrastructure facilities for adventure, pilgrims and heritage tourism in the state".
Though the Minister announced that a massive infrastructure developmental programme has also been started in the region under tourism sector and informed in detail the various projects being taken up to further boost adventure, pilgrims' or heritage tourism in the state.
But the age old Krimchi temples, however, it seems are not that significant for the authorities concerned as they were not in the list of places which are being developed to attract more tourists as declared by the Tourism Minister.
The temples, which are craving for recognition despite being on the tourism map of Jammu and Kashmir, are actually a cluster of temples containing many Hindu deities that have withstood the vagaries of time but the constant neglect have made them sort of irrelevant.
The group of ancient temples surrounded by picturesque locations is located 67 kilometers from here at Krimchi, a small hamlet on Udhampur-Pancheri road in district Udhampur.
Dating back to 8th century AD, the complex which is situated on the banks of two rivults namely Birunal (also known as Bhutesvari) and Krimchi, consists of five large and two small shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and other deities.
The place which houses the ancient structures might have been once bustling with activities but with the passage of time it has sadly been abandoned and dumped by the successive state governments.
The architecture of the temples and their style bear a lot of resemblance to several temples in the state of Orissa.
Standing tall amidst eerie silence, the group of seven ancient temples, which are a wonderful piece of craftsmanship, gives unforgettable experience to anyone visiting the heritage site.
With their historical significance, the magnificent structures have the potential to attract tourists not only from within the country but from overseas as well.
Caught between administration hassles, the projects aimed so far at developing the site and bringing the pristine glory of temples to forefront is gaining dust.
Ironically, this historically significant place, which is one of the most appropriate sites as far as heritage or pilgrim tourism is concerned, has been deprived of even the basic infrastructures like road connectivity, drinking water facility and other allied facilities for the tourists.
Lack of development and apathetic attitude of the government towards the site of historic importance has also resulted in tourists dropping the place from their itinerary while on visit to the state.
The Archeological Survey of India (ASI), which is preserving the site as a monument of national importance for the past nearly sixty years has done its bit by executing the restoration work of damaged parts of the temples and doing some landscaping around the premises but that is not enough to bring back the immaculate splendour of the structures.
The heritage site is still waiting for its overall development and the neglection of the ancient shrine could be gauged from the fact that for reaching the Pandva temples one has to tread a path of about 1.5 kms.
Shiv Raj, a local political activist, said "When the district administration mooted a proposal to construct approach road from Krimchi village to the sanctum sanctorum, people here had high hopes that at last road connectivity to the heritage site would be realized."
"People even gave possession of their lands willingly to authorities for the purpose but till date the work has not been taken up," he added
The contribution of the department of Tourism in promoting the site has also been limited only to publication of pictures of the site in some brochures and nothing beyond that.
When contacted the Director Tourism, Jammu SM Sahni told Early Times, "For the construction of approach road for Pandva temples, the tourism department has provided requisite funds to the district administration for land acquisition purposes. The proposed road is to be built by the R&B department."
Referring to the promotion and development of Krimchi temples, Sahni passed the buck on district administration and Archeological Survey of India (ASI) saying, "Tourism department has to look after the promotion part only. As far as the improvement of existing infrastructure and up-gradation of other facilities are concerned, it is the domain of district administration and ASI."
"We are highlighting the ancient site in a big way through different mediums at various forums. The heritage site has got a mention in our information brochures and to further publicize it, we have made blow ups of the location which will be displayed in the exhibitions being held from time at national level," he added
A sheer neglect on part of the state government and Tourism department in making overall development of the site is one of the main reasons that most of the people, not to talk of tourists visiting the state from other parts of the country, even the residents of J&K are not aware of the magnificent structures' existence.
Speaking to Early Times, the local MLA Balwant Mankotia, however, is hopeful that sooner than later the monument would get what it deserves as a number of measures to improve the infrastructure there are in the pipeline.
Mankotia said, "With the proposed circular connectivity under NABARD from DIG office Udhampur to the heritage site at the cost of Rs 7.5 crore and inclusion of Krimchi in the model Tourist village category, the things would certainly improve."
"Moreover, we are also taking up a proposal with the authorities to establish a museum at the heritage site," he added.
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