Jharkhand CM promises to develop Lugu Guru Ghanta Bari as tourist spot

Shashank Shekhar

Bokaro ( Jharkhand) : Promising to turn Lugu Buru Ghanta Bari, the most sacred religious  temple of the  Santhals, into a tourist attraction centre,  Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das on November 3, 2017, stated that  the state government  is determined to spend more than Rs 100 crore on its  development for which work is already in progress. Das said that his government had already identified more than  two dozen religious spots of Jharkhand including Lugu Baru, where lakhs of Santhals come every year to pay their respect and offer prayers.

Das was addressing  a gathering of more than 40,000 tribals dominated by ‘Santhal tribe’  on the occasion of 17^th International religious function of Santhals (17^thAntarrashtriya  Sarna Dharma Mahasammelan)  on top of the densely forested Luguburu hills at Lugu Buru Ghanta Bari about 75 km away from Bokaro Steel City. Das asked the tribal population to keep their identity intact  adding the government was committed to their progress  and development.

The Jharkhand CM said that all the tribals must remember that wherever they go either any part of the country or outside the country including Europe or America they must remain attached with their roots and culture keeping up in mind  if they do not remain connected with roots, gradually they  will  lose their identity.

“ The main religion of  tribal  for thousands of years has been worshipping the nature including trees, river, mother earth etc  which always helps in maintaining ecological balance  besides giving livelihood and while tribal are still attached  to nature, others are now also shifting towards nature,” Das said.

Earlier, former chief minister of Jharkhand Shibu Soren stated that Santhals  have been worshipping nature for thousands of years  and do not have a temple except ‘Sarna Sthal’ where they offer prayers to nature God but Lugu Buru Ghanta Bari  is only temple of Santhals since ancient time and is the most respected religious place of Santhals. He requested the chief minister  to expedite the development of the entire zone. Others who were present on the occasion included Jharkhand revenue minister Amar Boury, Gomia MLA Yogendra Mahto, BJP MLA Lakashman Tuddu, Bokaro DC R M Ray, SP, Bermo SDO Prem Ranjan,  and Santhali Samiti president  Babuli Soren.