Prayagraj: The tourism department has initiated plans to develop a ‘Maa Sheetla Dham Corridor’ at Kara Dham in Kaushambi, modelled on the Kashi Vishwanath and Vindhyachal corridors, to provide better facilities to devotees and turn the shrine into a major religious-tourism hub.Kaushambi—known as the city of Lord Buddha—is also being integrated into the tourism circuit of the Prayagraj division as the state govt expands religious and spiritual tourism and develops corridors at major ancient religious sites. The district’s religious identity is further defined by Maa Sheetla Dham, one of the country’s 51 Shakti Peeths. Located at Kara Dham on the banks of the Ganga, the shrine is a prominent pilgrimage site.Kaushambi DM Amit Pal said a proposal to appoint an architect for the project had been submitted to the government. Once the proposal is approved, an architect will be selected, followed by the selection of an executing agency and preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR).The Maa Sheetla Dham Corridor is aimed at transforming the shrine and boosting religious tourism. Planned developments include the beautification of the Ganga ghats and construction of floating jetties, pilgrim lodges and cafeterias, along with infrastructure such as roads, drinking water facilities and sewerage systems.Key features of the project include a wide approach road and a grand entrance gate leading from the main road to the temple complex, a ‘parikrama’ path (circumambulation route), a pilgrim facilitation centre, changing rooms, drinking water stations, modern restrooms and parking facilities.There are two major ghats at Maa Sheetla Dham along the banks of the Ganga. During religious festivals, thousands of devotees take a holy dip at the Kubri and Kaleshwar ghats. While Kubri Ghat has already been paved, Kaleshwar Ghat has not yet undergone such construction.The two ghats are around 400 to 500 metres apart. The administration is working on a plan to construct a paved ghat connecting Kubri Ghat to Kaleshwar Ghat. Officials said a separate proposal has been submitted for construction of the paved stretch between the two ghats.
