States » EastPosted at: Nov 6 2026 9:05PM


CM Suvendu Adhikari announces Rs 1,000-crore pilgrimage circuit to restore Bengal's ancient temples

Ranaghat, Nov 6 (UNI) West Bengal will spend Rs 1,000 crore over the next two years to renovate and restore ancient temples and monasteries across the state under a proposed ‘Tirthakshetra Circuit’, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Friday, signalling a major push towards religious heritage conservation and pilgrimage tourism.
Making the announcement at the inauguration of Shatadal Club's Kali Puja at Aranghata in Nadia's Ranaghat Uttar Purba Assembly constituency, Adhikari said the project would cover ancient temples and monasteries situated on debottar properties, as well as those managed by trusts and public organisations. Privately owned properties, however, would remain outside its ambit.
The Chief Minister said the Rs 1,000-crore allocation would be utilised over a two-year period to restore neglected religious sites and develop them as important centres of pilgrimage and cultural heritage.
Drawing a parallel with the Centre's initiatives to redevelop Kedarnath, Badrinath, Ayodhya, Kashi-Vishwanath in Varanasi and the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain, he said Bengal's ancient religious institutions would also receive a fresh lease of life through planned restoration and infrastructure development.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of the state government's proposed efforts to promote religious tourism by connecting major pilgrimage destinations. Mayapur, Nabadwip, Tarapith, Tarakeswar, Kalighat, Dakshineswar and Cooch Behar's Madan Mohan Jiu temple have figured in the proposed pilgrimage circuit.
Adhikari also outlined plans to give a major facelift to Bengal's forthcoming religious festivals. Chandannagar and Krishnanagar would receive special attention during Jagaddhatri Puja, with the Chief Minister announcing that he would personally visit both towns.
Nabadwip, Shantipur and Cooch Behar would also be specially decorated for the forthcoming Raas festivities. He said he would visit Nabadwip on November 22 to participate in religious programmes at the sacred land associated with Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Referring to the Gangasagar Mela, Adhikari said it had already been accorded international fair status and preparations for the annual pilgrimage were progressing in full swing.
The Chief Minister also used the occasion to attack the previous government over women's safety and restrictions allegedly imposed on religious celebrations.
Referring to the Hanskhali incident, he raised questions about the law-and-order situation under the previous regime and asserted that his government would ensure greater security for women.
He particularly criticised the earlier restrictions on Durga Puja immersion processions, alleging that organisers had faced obstacles and even restrictions on playing traditional musical instruments such as kansar and bells during religious processions.
Claiming that the atmosphere surrounding religious celebrations had changed under his government, Adhikari said the number of Durga Pujas in the state had increased from around 13,000 to 58,000. This year's celebrations, he claimed, had passed off without restrictions or impediments.
The Chief Minister had also announced that nearly 2.5 lakh pending applications under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Nadia and North 24-Parganas would be disposed of by December this year.
He said the state administration had taken steps to expedite the process, with district magistrates receiving training and sub-divisional officers being entrusted with conducting hearings.
Notably, Adhikari had inaugurated Shatadal Club's Kali Puja in 2023, when he was associated with the Trinamool Congress government. His return to the same venue as Chief Minister, following the change of government, added a political dimension to Friday's programme.
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