Pandav Circuit: HPU team secures Rs 90 lakh for research project

In a remarkable academic achievement, a team of scholars from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) has secured a prestigious research project worth Rs 90 lakh, sanctioned by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR).

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The project falls under ICSSR’s flagship initiative on Longitudinal Studies in Social and Human Sciences and focuses on the development of the Pandav Circuit in Himachal Pradesh.

The research team is led by Prof Nitin Vyas from the Institute of Vocational Studies (IVS), HPU, and includes Prof Surya Rashmi from Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP), Dr Joginder Saklani and Dr Priti R Nagal from HPU and Anil Attri, CEO of Tourism Scouts, Shimla.

Describing the project, Prof Vyas said it is a visionary initiative aimed at cultural preservation and livelihood diversification of local businesses through the sustainable development of the Pandav Circuit. “The Pandav Circuit, steeped in the legends of the Mahabharata’s Pandava brothers, is more than just a route — it is a living archive of temples, rituals, festivals and faith that has nurtured our cultural identity for centuries,” he said.

The project seeks to strike a balance between heritage conservation and community empowerment. “Our goal is not just to attract tourists but to design a sustainable development roadmap — one that honours our sacred traditions and strengthens local economies,” Dr Vyas explained. “Through prototype model villages, skill enhancement programs, digital outreach and inclusive tourism strategies, we aim to show how tradition and progress can co-exist and thrive together.”