The Department of Inland Waterways Transport of Assam signed an MoU on Friday. This agreement aims at the development of a riverine-based religious tourism circuit in Guwahati. This understanding makes way for the connections of seven sites of religious interest across the city via waterways.
The aim is to connect Kamakhya, Pandunath, Aswaklanta, Doul Govinda, Umananda, Chakreshwar and Auniati Satra via ferries. These ferries will also facilitate hop on hop off services in these locations. This riverine-based religious tourism project has been implemented under the Sagarmala programme of GOI.
The understanding was signed by several parties including the Inland Waterways Authority of India(IWAI), Sagarmala Development Corporation Limited (SDCL), Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) and the Department of Inland Waterways Transport (DIWT).
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal mentioned that this is a landmark for tourism as well as waterways development. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that this project will usher in a new chapter in the tourism sector. It will also be a special boost for religious tourism and establish Guwahati as a major tourism destination.
The riverine-based religious tourism ferry route will touch several key temples of the city. They are the Kamakhta temple on the Nilachal hills, one of the revered Shaktipeeths. Pandunath temple is the abode of one of the five Ganesha idols from the Mahabharata era. Ashawaklanta and Doul Govinda, both dedicated to incarnations of Lord Vishnu are on the route. Umananda Island is also on the route of the ferries and houses a Shiva temple in the middle of the Brahmaputra River. Chakreshwar Devaloi and Auniati Satra will also be part of the circuit.
The ferries will start from Hanuman Ghat in Uzan Bazar. The circuit is expected to be completed within 2 hours of travel time. Hip on hop off service will be available for the tourists meaning that they can visit each of the temples according to their convenience.
