AGRA: Fulfilling a decade-old demand, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday declared Soron town of Kasganj district a pilgrimage site.
The chief minister office tweeted about the development and its commitment to Sanatana Dharma followers.
“This will pave the way for overall development of the area, neglected for years. The town of ‘Soron’ houses a ‘kund’ held in high regard according to Hindu mythology and the believers come here for ‘visarjan’ (dispersing) the mortal remains. The location has its mention in spiritual literature and the site needs to be preserved as a ‘teerth’ (pilgrimage) in true sense,” said Bhupesh Sharma, a priest.
Photo: Amit Tiwari
Welcoming the decision, social activist, Pradeep Raghunandan, said, “The decision of state government will facilitate not only heritage preservation but also provide pilgrims with basic facilities. With the protection of the ancient and holy shrines as a pilgrimage site, it will be easy to renovate small temples coming under these. CM Yogi has made this Diwali memorable for people of Kasganj.”
Photo: Amit Tiwari
In 2018, clamour for ‘teerth’ status for Soron gained momentum. Following which, the CM had promised to develop Kasganj, with an aim to promote religious tourism. The demand for declaring Soron as a pilgrimage site was again raised this year after Mathura was declared ‘teerth’ on September 10.
Seven spots in Mathura district have already been declared pilgrimage sites. Towns on the list are Vrindavan, Gokul, Barsana, Nandgaon, Goverdhan, Baldev and Radhakund.
