Hari Parbat fort should be promoted as centre of attraction of Srinagar: Tourism Minister
Jammu, Mar 25 : Tourism Minister Tassaduq Mufti today said the Hari Parbat Fort in Srinagar should be preserved and promoted as the centre of attraction of the state’s summer capital.
The fort and other monuments, including shrines and temples, on the Hari Parbat should be preserved and promoted. Doing so would attract tourists from across India and the globe, he said at a meeting with consultants here.
The meeting, which was attended by Minister of State for Tourism Priya Sethi, was called for implementing a project to have a light-and-sound show at the iconic fort.
The Sharika Devi temple, dedicated to the presiding deity of Srinagar, Jagadamba Sharika Bhagwati, is also on the ‘parbat’ (hill).
“The Hari Parbat fort should be made the cynosure of Srinagar city to attract tourists from across the globe,” Mufti said.
The consultants presented a comprehensive presentation in this regard.
Mufti directed authorities concerned to initiate necessary measures for setting up the light-and-sound show at these tourist places, besides maintaining its rich heritage.
Directions were also issued for creating projection shows and mapping, archival presentations and 3D projection mapping at the place to inform visitors about the fort.
Officials informed the state minister that steps were being taken to install modern light equipment at places of tourist attraction at Hari Parbat.
Mufti directed officials to synergise their efforts so that the results are achieved within the stipulated time frame.
Officials were asked to ensure quality staff service conditions on the ground so that they could present sound-and-light shows in a professional manner.
The first fortifications, including the fort’s outer wall, were constructed by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1590 as part of his plans for a new capital Nager Nagor.
The project, however, was never completed and the present fort was built in 1808 under the reign of Shuja Shah Durrani.
The shrine of Hamza Makhdoom, a 16th-century Kashmiri Sufi saint, and that of Shah Badakhshi, a 17th-century Sufi saint, are in the southern-side of the hill.
