Ganesh Tekdi gets ‘A’ grade tourism status

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINALLY, Maharashtra Government has granted ‘A’ class tourism status to Tekdi Ganesh temple fulfilling the promise made by then Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. A Government Resolution (GR) was issued by the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Maharashtra Government, on Monday, notifying the new tourism status forTekdi Ganesh that will enable release of funds for enhancing more facilities for devotees. The notification mentioned that the idol of Lord Ganesh at Tekdi is over 200 years old. Every year about 10 lakh people visit the Tekdi Ganesh to pay obeisance. Also the number of foreign visitors are also increasing steadily and now about 200 of them visit the temple every year. It may be mentioned that then Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had announced granting Class A tourism status to Tekdi Ganesh Temple, Hazrat Baba Tajuddin Dargah, Tajabad and Deekshabhoomi way back in year 2015. Of the three only Deekshabhoomi proposal for Class A tourism site was approved by State Government earlier while for rest two places the proposal was returned by theTourism Department and it remained pending at Mantralay.

 

Bhushan Dadve, social activist and VicePresident, BJP city unit, pursued the issue. In a memorandum to District Collector, Dadve mentioned the historical importance of Tekdi Ganesh Temple and demanded that it should get Class A tourism site status. The acceptance of Class A tourist site means State Government can release funds from Tourism Department for creation of amenities so that tourist do not face any inconvenience at the temple campus. Dadve specially thanked MLA Krishna Khopde who he said took-up the matter with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Chief Minsiter Eknath Shinde. Till now Tekdi GaneshTemple was in C class category of tourism and hence the funds being received were quite less. Dadve continued his correspondence and met Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Deputy CM Fadnavis and requested them to consider demand for upgrading Tekdi Ganesh Temple tourism category to A class.