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Gandhari Vanam to be top tourist spot
MP Balka Suman has allotted 3.5 crore from MP LAD Fund for the development of deer park, picnic spot, etc in 134 hectares
Mancherial (Adilabad): Gandhari Vanam, located adjacent to the ancient Gandhari Maisamma temple, is set to become a major tourist attraction in the district. Proposals are made to develop Gandhari Vanam in Bokkalagutta forest area in Thimmapur panchayat of Mandamarri mandal on the lines of Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park in Hyderabad. Lok Sabha member Balka Suman, who has evinced keen interest in development of the park, has allocated Rs 3.5 crore from his Local Area Development Scheme funds for the project.
A deer park, picnic spot and a nature park will come up in 134 hectares as part of the tourism development project. A 5-km-long walking track, track for bicycles, science and yoga centres, botanical and herbal gardens, zodiac park and boating facility are some of the attractions to be put in place in the park.
Gandhari Vanam has immense tourism potential as a large number of devotees from Bellampalli, Ramakrishnapur, Srirampur, Mandamarri and other areas in the coal belt and neighbouring Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra visit Gandhari Maisamma temple on weekends to fulfil their vows. It is also a favourite place for picnickers. Gandhari Khilla is also a major attraction in the area adjacent to the national highway.
With the increase in pilgrim rush to Gandhari Maisamma temple in recent times, the officials have provided basic amenities like drinking water, toilets and benches at the place. Signboards have also been set up en route.
Additional Secretary to Chief Minister Smita Sabharwal during her recent tour of the district visited Gandhari Vanam and enquired about the progress of works. The district is set to become one of the major tourist destinations in Telangana State in near future with the development of Gandhari Vanam.
Speaking to The Hans India, Mallesh, a pilgrim, has hailed the decision taken by the State government to tap the tourism potential of Gandhari Vanam by developing it. “The project will certainly help promote spiritual and natural tourism in the backward Adilabad district,” he said.
R Arun Kumar
