Lucknow, June 29: The Uttar Pradesh government is taking significant steps to elevate religious and cultural tourism under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Following extensive development of major pilgrimage sites like Ayodhya, Kashi, Mathura, Naimisharanya, and Vindhya Dham, the state government has now decided to develop the origin site of the life-giving Gomti River into a world-class tourism and faith center.
In this context, the tourism department has approved a project worth ₹1.04 crore for the development of the Gomti origin site located in the Kalinagar tehsil of the Puranpur assembly constituency in Pilibhit district. As part of the first phase, ₹78 lakh has already been released. Upon completion, this site is expected to become a new attraction for religious, cultural, and natural tourism.
Uttar Pradesh‘s Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh stated that human civilization has always developed along riverbanks. The Gomti River, a symbol of life and cultural faith in the state, originates near the village of Madhotanda in Pilibhit district from Gomti Tal (formerly known as Puhlar Lake). This revered river irrigates vast areas, serving as the foundation for the lives and livelihoods of millions.
He further explained that the tourism department is working to develop the Gomti origin site as a major spiritual, cultural, and tourism destination. The project includes the construction of modern infrastructure for the convenience of pilgrims and tourists. This will involve the creation of a multipurpose hall at a cost of approximately ₹48.69 lakh, modern toilet blocks for ₹13.44 lakh, and a shed for ₹9.45 lakh.
Additionally, interlocking pathways, attractive gardens, beautification, solar-based facilities, and other amenities will also be developed. The responsibility for completing this project has been assigned to the Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (UPSTDC). The Gomti River holds special reverence in the eternal tradition, originating from the mythological Puhlar Lake (Gomti Tal) in the Madhotanda area of Pilibhit.
Flowing for nearly 960 kilometers, the river nourishes districts such as Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Hardoi, Sitapur, Lucknow, Barabanki, Sultanpur, and Jaunpur before merging into the Ganges River in Ghazipur. According to ancient beliefs, after the conquest of Lanka, Lord Rama bathed in the Gomti River to earn merit.
Moreover, Naimisharanya is believed to be the site of 33 crore deities, also located along the banks of the Gomti River. This is why the Gomti River is considered a carrier of the state’s religious faith and cultural heritage.
Minister Jaiveer Singh emphasized that under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s guidance, Uttar Pradesh is committed to giving its natural heritage a distinctive identity. The origin site of the Gomti is not just a geographical point but a significant site of our eternal faith and local life. Its comprehensive development will provide better facilities for pilgrims and tourists. Our aim is to ensure that every sacred heritage of the state earns a respectable place on the global tourism map.
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