Biz houses step in for shrine

Help from corporate sector makes big difference to Kamakhya infrastructure, says board

The Kamakhya temple atop the picturesque Nichal hill is ready for a major facelift with corporate houses coming forward to undertake infrastructure development and environment management projects at the centuries old shrine.
General secretary of the Kamakhya Debuttar Board, Nabakanta Sarma, said contributions from the corporate sector had helped the temple authorities to promote it as a heritage site.
Funds pumped in had created ample facilities for pilgrims and checked pollution, he said.
“Help from the private sector has made a big difference in the maintenance of the 17th century temple considered as one of the most venerated shakti shrines in the country. The result is there for every one to see.”
“Until a few years back, the corporate sector did not evince enough interest. The board too was not open to such ideas. But things have changed since then. Now development works estimated to be around Rs. 40 lakh is being carried out on the temple premises with donations from the private sector,” Sharma said.
Among the notable contributors are the Dharampal Satyapal (DS) group and the State Bank of India (SBI).
The projects executed by the board with corporate help include building up proper facilities for the pilgrims with emphasis on sanitation and sewerage.
While the SBI has provided funds for biodiversity conservation in Nilachal Hills, the group has contributed towards restoration and repair for the site to restore its glory.
The group is setting up a museum as part of its effort to preserve the artifacts and spread awareness about the archaeological importance of the temple. The museum will help promote the place of worship as a heritage site.
“We are in touch with some other corporate houses, which are eager to renovate the shrine,” Sarma said.
Besides attracting hordes of pilgrims throughout the year, the temple is of immense importance to the tourism industry, which considers it as one of the major tourist hotspots in the state. From the Nilachal Hills one can get a majestic view of Guwahati and the Brahmaputra.
Sarma said even in the public sector, the Assam Tourism Development Corporation had constructed a dormitory with lodging facilities for nearly one thousand pilgrims.
“The dormitory will be useful during the annual Ambubachi mela in June when tens of thousands of devotees come for darshan. But the only hitch is that the approach road to the dormitory is yet to constructed,” he said.
He said the temple authorities had requested the state government to prepare a masterplan for systematic development and conservation of the temple and nearby areas.