Protect ancient temples, customs: CM

Our Correspondent

Kullu, December 9

Addressing a gathering during the “pratishtha” ceremony of a new temple of Shangchul Mahadev at Shangad village in Sainj valley of the district today, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh stressed local deities were inseparable part of our ancient traditions and it was our collective responsibility to preserve our ancient temples, customs, language and traditions.

The ancient temple of Shangchul deity was destroyed in fire and the stated government assisted in reconstructing the temple in ancient traditional architecture.

Exhorting future generations to be proud of their antecedents and not forget their culture and customs, he said, “I am proud to be a ‘pahari’ and I used to say the same when I was a Member of Parliament and minister at the Centre.”

The Chief Minister said it was after ages that anybody from his family had come and sat on the historical seat presented by the Shangchul deity and established near the temple.

Earlier, he dedicated Suchehan-Shangad road, completed with an outlay of Rs 2.45 crore, to people. He said the 8-km road would provide all weather connectivity to residents of Shangad and facilitate the transport of their produce. The road connecting the remote area of Sainj valley would strengthen the local economy, he added.

He also laid the foundation stone for the Dugedi, Konsha, Berra-Shangad, Dhara-Lapah, Tandi-Nihai and Lotla-Tung drinking water supply scheme, which will costRs 2.41 crore.

He stated that this scheme would benefit 42 habitations and a population of 4,500.

He said his motto was to develop all areas alike without any discrimination of upper or lower Himachal.

Later, he left for Mandi to leave for Shimla as the weather here did not permit his helicopter to land at the Bhuntar airport.