Hamirpur: Shiv Dham comes up at Sujanpur

Hamirpur, July 5

Darla gram panchayat in the district has established the Aadi Shiv Dham on barren land at a cost of over Rs 60 lakh. The panchayat started the development of the dham about 18 months ago and it is nearing completion. A number of idols of Lord Shiva have been installed in the dham, including a bust of Lord Shiva, Shivalingam, 31-feet Trishul and Nandi on the entrance.

Panchayat pradhan Rekha Devi says the objective of constructing the dham is to establish a religious, cultural and small business centre to attract tourists and generate job opportunities for self-help groups of the area.

She says that there is vast barren land along a rivulet that flows near Bhaleth village. Members of the panchayat approved the proposal to develop the land into a tourist spot and the block development authority also supported the initiative. She adds most of the work was done under MGNREGA and with convergence of other rural development schemes.

Panchayat vice-president Jagan Katoch says that besides government funding, lakhs of rupees were contributed by locals. He adds more funds will be required to accomplish the work and donations are pouring in.

Katoch says that residents of the panchayat are thankful to Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur for his support to the project.