Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The Odisha Cabinet on Monday approved a comprehensive development plan for the sacred Maa Tarini Temple in Ghatagaon, Keonjhar, in a major step to increase religious tourism and infrastructure. A total of ₹226 crore will be spent on the ambitious project, which aims to make the holy place a top pilgrimage destination.
The state administration has underlined that this comprehensive development would both boost the local economy and meet the long-standing demands of the millions of devotees who visit the temple each year. M/s Dilip Buildcon Ltd., which won the contract for its lowest tender (without GST) of ₹146 crore, would carry out the development work. The project is expected to be finished in 24 months and will cover 59.206 acres.
A key focus of the initiative is to significantly enhance the pilgrim experience. To this end, the following state-of-the-art facilities will be constructed:
- A 216-bed Yatri Niwas (pilgrim guest house) for comfortable accommodation.
- A modern Pilgrimage Centre and an Interpretation Centre to enrich the spiritual and cultural understanding of visitors.
- A Food Plaza and a Watch Tower.
- A new Market Complex.
- A dedicated, large-scale facility for the preparation and serving of ‘Prasad’ (temple offerings), with a seating capacity for approximately 500 people.
- A Cloak Room for the secure storage of pilgrims’ personal belongings.
Upon completion, the enhanced Maa Tarini Temple complex is poised to be recognized as a major religious tourism destination not just in Odisha, but across India, providing a seamless and spiritually enriching experience for devotees and boosting the local economy.
