2.2 cr tourism museum to come up at Swetha Giri

Srikakulam: A tourism museum proposed at Swetha Giri in Gara mandal with an estimated cost of Rs 2.20 crore by the state tourism department. It would be the first museum in the district regarding tourism and historical locations.

Swetha Giri located on the banks of Vamsadhara river in Gara mandal near Kalingapatnam where Vamsadhara merged into Bay of Bengal. Noted Buddha Stupam and historical Venu Gopala Swamy temple were also situated here. It is also known as Salihundam.

Swetha Giri is on the way to Kalingapatnam beach, light house and Sri Kurmam temple. As part of developing Buddha Kshetrams as tourist spots across the state and also with an aim to attract pilgrims and tourists who are visiting Kalingapatnam and Sri Kurmam temple, the state government has proposed a museum here.

Budda Stupam at Swetha Giri (Salihundam) will also get recognition from Archeological Survey of India (ASI) as model memorial center for Buddhism. Salihundam in Srikakulam and Nagarjuna Konda in Guntur districts gets ASI recognition. With the recognition, the Centre will allot funds for its development.

In the tourist museum, all historical details of Srikakulam district would be displayed, besides books, photos and CDs will also be available on tourist spots in the district. Meditation hall and rest rooms were also proposed in the museum. Visitors are reaching thronging Swetha Giri as government laid CC road recently. Museum works will be executed soon, said district tourism promotion officer N Narayana Rao to The Hans India.