Purmandal, a place of immense religious and mythological significance for Hindus, has sadly been subject to neglect from both official and political channels. Consequently, it has not gained the recognition it deserves as a prominent pilgrimage tourism destination in the Jammu region. Often referred to as ‘Chhota Kashi,’ Purmandal village holds great importance as Hindu pilgrims immerse themselves in the holy Devika River, also known as ‘Gupt Ganga,’ to purify their souls. However, the current state of this ancient pilgrimage
site is disheartening. The revered temple complex has been reduced to a shelter for cattle, and the entire area is marred by excrement, even on the sacred sands of the Devika River. The religious and historical importance of Gupt Ganga has regrettably faded into obscurity, resulting in its unfortunate neglect. The primary Purmandal region has transformed into a distressing sight where human bodies are cremated and urban waste is openly and indiscriminately incinerated. As a consequence, the cleanliness and overall state of the area have significantly deteriorated. Compounding these issues is the absence of a proper sewage treatment system and drainage network. Currently, all waste from the surroundings is discharged directly into the Devika River, a sacred subterranean river that has served as a focal point for religious rituals for centuries. Purmandal and Utterbehni are revered pilgrimage centres that have been neglected for years. However, there was a glimmer of hope when the Union Minister of State for Tourism visited the shrines in 2019 and promised their revamp under the PRASAD scheme. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the development of Purmandal-Utterbehni was submitted to the Ministry of Tourism in January 2020, estimating a cost of aroundfifty crores of rupees. However, the Ministry has notgiven its approval yet, for reasons better known to theTourism Department of UT. The DPR includes variouscomponents of tourist infrastructure for both sites, suchas footbridges, signage, tourist information kiosks, parkingfacilities, restoration of temples and havelis, landscaping,and illumination. These developments canenhance the visitor experience and preserve the culturalheritage of the area. But approval and funding for the
project are still pending, leaving the fate of the proposeddevelopment works at Purmandal and Utterbehni uncertain.With so many historical temples of great significance at stake, a jointeffort by the Department of Archives and an NGO recently conducted an assessment survey of Purmandal, aiming to designate it, along with other neg- lected structures, as a protected heritage site. The pri- mary objective is to restore Purmandal to its ancient grandeur and ensure its preservation against erosion and human-made damage. This initiative has become crucial as numerous neglected and dilapidated struc- tures and monuments in the area are on the verge of dis- appearing forever.
Despite being allocated a substantial budget of over seven hundred crores, the Tourism Department has been unsuccessful in making significant progress at Purmandal. Their efforts have been limited to mere empty promises and assurances. However, it is essential for the administration to proactively engage with the Union Ministry and ensure that the DPR adheres to the Ministry’s guidelines and secures the required funding. Without these actions, Purmandal and Utterbehni will continue to deteriorate, remaining in their dilapidated state.
Despite the visit of the Minister of State and Lieutenant Governor, as well as the efforts of the Department of Archaeology and numerous individuals, it is evident that something is fundamentally amiss, as no tangible progress has been achieved thus far. The lack of results raises concerns and calls for a re-evaluation of the situation. It is of utmost importance to find a viable solution as the clock is ticking for these invaluable her- itage sites. Higher authorities must pay attention to the current situation and take appropriate actions. The urgency of the matter necessitates proactive steps to restore and preserve the historical and religious signifi- cance of Purmandal and Utterbehni.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
