Shimla, Dec 08: With an aim to cash in on the tourism potential of famous shrines dotting the hill state, Himachal Pradesh government has drawn up an elaborate plan to boost "religious tourism" by offering better services to pilgrims thronging the state for spiritual bliss.
Also known as 'Dev Bhumi' or god's abode, Himachal is home to famous temples like Chamunda, Naina Devi, Brajeshwari, Jwalamukhi and Chintpurni which attract lakhs of devotees every year, especially during the festivals.

The state government has submitted a Rs 8-crore project to the Union government for a religious circuit covering all the important shrines from Chandigarh to Vaishno Devi via Anandpur Sahib-Naina Devi-Deotsidh-Chintpurni-Jwalaji-Baijnath-Kangra and Chamunda. The government has decided to provide basic facilities like cheap accommodation, parking, toilet facilities, air, rail and hotel bookings and tourist information centres at famous temples, gurudwaras, monastries and churches frequented by lakhs of pilgrims every year, official sources said here.

There are also many pagoda temples like Bhimakali temple at Sarahan and Hadimba temple in Manali, with unique architecture and heritage value and famous gurdwaras of Paonta Sahib, Rewalsar and Manikaran which are very sacred to the Sikh community. Bureau Report