Giving an insight of rich cultural legacy, J&K tourism takes a ‘Heritage Walk’ spreading peace and harmony

Jammu, May 20: Making people aware about the rich heritage and culture of Jammu region the Jammu and Kashmir Tourist Department arranged a ‘Heritage Walk’. Around 200 people participated at Jio Potha Ghat Akhnoor in the Heritage walk to Ambaran, which is a Buddhist Monastic complex on the banks of river Chenab. The walk also marked the celebration of Buddha Purnima.

The heritage walk from Jio Potha Ghat located on the banks of river Chenab was flagged off by Director Tourism, Jammu Om Prakash Bhagat, in presence of Deputy Director Tourism, Ansuya Jamwal, SDM Akhnoor Gopal Singh and Chairman Municipal Committee Akhnoor, Deepesh Singh.

Several Buddhist students, some of them in colourful traditional dresses and others from far flung areas like Paddar, Zanskar, Ladakh etc. participated in the walk along with locals chanting religious hymns. The importance of Ambaran lies in the fact that it is the earliest recorded Buddhist site in the Jammu region. The site was visited by his holiness the Dalai Lama on November 9, 2011.

The participants in the heritage walk were made aware about the historical and cultural importance of monuments like JioPotha Temple, and other landmark monuments like Pandav Gufa, Gurudwara Tapo Asthan Sant Baba Sunder Singh Ji Alibegh, Parshuram Temple etc. The historic details about the site was explained by Jai Karan Singh Assistant archaelogist from Archaeology Survey of India Srinagar Circle.

The tourist department of the state is also making every effort to promote state’s historical places which have tourism potential. Besides this in view of upcoming Amarnath Yatra target would be to divert people to local Jammu destinations.