Assam governor lays foundation for Vaishnav tourism centre

Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi laid the foundation stone for infrastructure development of the cultural and tourism center at Madhupur Satra, the seat of Vaishnav culture, in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district.

The project, worth Rs 2 crore, is expected to be completed in 12 months and include construction of a guest house with a capacity for 500 and a 'bhog ghar'.

The project is a part of transforming Madhupur Satra into cultural tourism center, an official release said. Mukhi laid the foundation stone of another project, 'Protection and Development of Madhupur Satra' which involves the construction of the school-cum-cultural center, renovation of "Kirtan Ghar", construction of conference hall, among others.

The Governor, during his visit to the Satra, paid his obeisance and prayed for the welfare of all sections of the society. He also said on the occasion that transforming Madhupur Satra into a cultural and tourism center would go a long way in fulfilling Shankardev's dream of taking Vaishnavite culture all around and accord equal status to everybody irrespective of caste, creed, and status.

The Satra was built in the 16th century and is a treasure trove of historical documents and manuscripts. It is also the final resting place of the great Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardev.