Heritage board mulls rejuvenation of Bhai Udai Singh Haveli in Pehowa
Nitish Sharma
Tribune News Service
Kurukshetra, May 16
The Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board has come out with a plan to rejuvenate Bhai Udai Singh Haveli, develop it as a tourist site-cum-museum in Pehowa.
According to information, the haveli also served as the PWD rest house, but years ago it was declared condemned.
Mohit Sharma, an advocate and local resident, said, “Rejuvenation of the haveli has been a long pending demand and we have raised the issue with the government on different occasions. In January last year, Additional Chief Secretary Amit Jha, who had come to Pehowa to attend International Saraswati Mahotsav, had informed that the state government would establish a Saraswati museum in Pehowa and there were expectations that the haveli could be selected for the project. However, there has been no further progress. The Saraswati Heritage Board has shown interest and we hope that it would be preserved.”
Executive Engineer, PWD, B&R, Amit Manuja said, “The building was used as PWD rest house, but for last several years it was out of use and building was declared condemned. The board wants to develop the building for which a consultant can be roped in to check the feasibility and the building can be rejuvenated.”
Historian Rajender Rana said, “It is a heritage building constructed by Bhai Udai Singh, last ruler of Kaithal, in the 19th century. It is a nearly 200-year-old magnificent building and it would be good if this heritage building is preserved as per archaeological norms and converted into a museum. Religious purpose was also a reason behind the construction of the haveli in Pehowa as kings used to reach here to perform post-death rituals for the departed soul. I will suggest that board should consult Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INCTACH) for the project.”
Meanwhile, INTACH convener, Kurukshetra chapter, Prof AR Chaudhry said, “If the board wants, we are ready to provide all assistance in this project. There are several buildings in Kurukshetra that need to be preserved.”
Dhuman Singh Kirmach, vice-chairman of the board, said, “The board had decided to develop all tirthas and heritage buildings situated along the Saraswati river in the state and as part of the plan we have decided to rejuvenate Bhai Udai Singh Haveli too. There is a plan to turn a section of the building into a museum. Directions have been issued to prepare a proposal so that it could be sent to the government for approval.”
