India’s Shipping Min developing river pilgrimage cruises including along Ayodhya – Varanasi – Mathura

Subject: Geography

Section: Indian Physical Geography

Context:

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) in India is actively promoting river pilgrimage circuits as cruises gain popularity.

Details:

A circuit covering seven temples in Assam along National Waterways 2 has been developed, and plans are underway for tours along the Ayodhya – Mathura – Varanasi circuit.
New cruise vessels and electric Catamarans have been ordered for these circuits, with the Inland Waterways Authority of India procuring Catamarans for Ayodhya, Varanasi, Mathura, and Guwahati
MoUs were signed last year to establish riverine-based religious tourism circuits through special purpose vehicles.
Currently, four cruise vessels for pilgrimage river cruises are operational in Varanasi, and in Assam, services are provided on a ‘Hop-on & Hop-off’ basis covering temples like Kamakhya, Pandunath, Ashwaklanta, Doul Govida, Umananda, Chakreshwar, and Auniati Satra.

Ayodhya river cruise:

One vessel, MV Guh, is en route to Ayodhya, while the second is expected to be deployed in the coming months.
There is a particular emphasis on promoting pilgrimage tourism in the region. Additionally, the Uttar Pradesh government is actively promoting river cruises in Mathura and Ayodhya.

Existing Cruises:

Currently, there are a total of 14 cruise vessels operating on National Waterways 1, covering the river Ganges.
Four cruises of ‘Nordic Cruise Line’ are operate around Varanasi; and two cruise vessels of Assam Bengal Navigation Company operate along Kolkata, Farakka, Patna, Ghazipur, Varanasi, Sarnath, Chunar, and Raj Ghat routes.
Three cruise vessels of Heritage River Journeys operate between Kolkata, Maitiari, Murshidabad, Chandernagore and Kolkata.
Vivada Inland Waterways has four cruise vessels plying between Sunderban, Ganga Sagar, Kolkata, Farakka, Bhagalpur, Mungher, and Semaria.
Four cruise vessels operate on National Waterways 2 across circuits like Jogighopa, Saulkhuchi, Guwahati, Silghat Kaziranga National Park, Biswanath Ghat, Majuli and Neamati.

Sarayu river:

The Sarju also known as Sarayu, is a major river draining Central Kumaon region in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.
Originating from Sarmul, Sarju flows through the cities of Kapkot, Bageshwar and Seraghat before joining Mahakali at Pancheshwar.
The Sarju is the largest tributary of the Sharda River.
The river forms the South-eastern border between the districts of Pithoragarh and Almora.
Temperate and sub-Tropical forests cover the entire Catchment area of the River.
Tributaries:
- Left– Ramganga, Punger
- Right- Gomati, Panar, Lahor

Source: TH BL