Sabarkantha to be developed as an herbal tourist spot

Plans are afoot to convert the Ambaji temple in Banaskantha district into a center for Ayurvedic treatment with a wide range of services. This is being done with a view of making the most of the large amount of devotee traffic that the Ambaji temple attracts.

There is surfeit of medicinal herbs to be found in and around the temple, Banaskantha being a tribal area. The temple sees close to 80 lakh devotees annually. The district collector of Sabarkantha reveals that the project has already been initiated and will most probably be completed within the next 6 months. Land for the same has already been allocated near the temple. He says that the main aim behind the project was to offer an Ayurvedic treatment center where the visitors can relax and revitalize themselves with the invigorating treatment of Ayurveda. The village is proposed to be modernized into a hub for Kerela Ayurvedic treatments and services.

The collector further said that the areas near the temple are rich in medicinal herbs and there is profound local knowledge about their uses. As most of the visitors belong to the middle age category, it is but natural that they would want to relax in the soothing environs of an ayurvedic center. The center has also been visualized keeping in focus the unpolluted and virgin landscape of the region. He added that the budget for the work has not yet been decided.

The state government has initiated this project with the aim of advancing Ayurveda as an alternative line of treatment. The treatment will consist of packages of seven and fifteen days and provided with resort like modern amenities. The project will also serve a dual purpose as it will provide employment to the local population.