Work on Valmiki hermitage stopped after protests

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 25

Work on developing the ancient hermitage of Valmiki into a tourist hub has run into rough weather as a religious group of the community, Guru Gyan Nath Ashram, objected to the construction of the ‘parikrama’ (circumambulation) in front of their ashram.

Consequently, the work of raising a covered circumambulation around the main temple came to a halt today. However, other work for the construction of the Rs 200 crore temple, was going on.

Inmates of the ashram even threatened to commit suicide in case the government goes ahead with the construction of the parikarma.

Nachattar Nath of the ashram apprehended that it would overshadow the facade of their ashram, which faces main temple.

The SAD-BJP coalition government had laid the foundation stone to raise the Valmiki temple in 2013.

CM Parkash Singh Badal had chaired many meetings to finish the project at the earliest. The government wishes to get the temple inaugurated ahead of the Assembly elections. The temple would stand in a holy sarovar, which would be further connected to the parikarma with a wide bridge.

DC Varun Roojam said the circumambulation covered with a concrete roof has been completed except near the ashram. “We will hold meetings to resolve the issue. The project would be constructed as per its blueprint,” he added.