Theme parks to showcase Bihar heritage

You've had amusements parks, zoological parks and botanical parks, but what about theme parks depicting heritage? The concept should not sound too bizarre given the state's rich tradition of art and culture. And in an age of increasing globalisation, sometimes it pays to be in touch with one's roots, especially for Gen-Y.

So get ready to have a day out in the sun in theme parks across the state showcasing art works, including three-dimensional wonders. The state's art and culture department has shortlisted Patna, Darbhanga, Gaya, Bettiah and Chapra for the special makeover. Themes have also been decided for each park.

The one to come up at Patna on the premises of Golghar, would depict the city's history from Mauryan times to the modern era. The one at Darbhanga would depict the culture and history of Mithilanchal.

Gaya's theme park, to come up near the Mahabodhi temple, would be replete with Buddhist philosophy, while the one at Chapra would showcase rural culture of the region. Bettiah's heritage park would depict the history of Champaran, including the events leading to Mahatma Gandhi's struggle against the Britishers for the local farmers.

The art and culture department has roped in students of the College of Arts and Crafts, Patna, for creating the art pieces for the Darbhanga park. The art works area ready for installation.

With many more such parks on the cards, the department has decided to function in a more organised way and has invited applications from qualified persons and institutions for executing the projects.

The selected candidates and institutions would be entrusted with the task of setting up the parks on a turn-key basis. The department would provide land and funds. "We intend to spend around Rs 1 crore on these parks and our target is to have them in place by the next fiscal (2010-11)," said art and culture department secretary, Vivek Singh, on Thursday.

He said, the parks, apart from being a medium of knowledge for Gen-Y, would also work as added attractions for tourists. "We intend to publish brochures about the parks," Singh added.link

ASI to repair, beautify Golghar for attracting tourists

Cracks have developed in city's landmark Golghar, a huge granary built by Captain John Garstin for the British army in 1786 after the terrible impact of the 1770 famine.

"At least half a dozen big cracks have been detected which needs immediate restoration work," said acting superintending archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Patna circle, N G Nikose.

Nikose said that the 323-year-old structure also needs minor repairs on its stairway. During rainy season, the surface water also touches its base wall and has damaged the outer wall of the structure, he said.

The massive structure is 29m high and the walls are 3.6m wide at the base. The winding stairway around this monument offers a brilliant view of the city and the Ganga flowing by. Golghar is a state protected monument.

The Bihar government has already released Rs 96 lakh to the ASI for its restoration. "As soon as the amount is transferred to us, we will start the restoration work immediately. It will take at least four months to complete the restoration work," Nikose said.

The Bihar culture department has decided to develop the interiors as well as the exteriors of Golghar to make it one of the major tourists destinations in the state. On its exteriors, murals would be engraved on the walls depicting a complete history of Pataliputra till modern age, said an official.

A high tech audio-visual system would be installed inside the Golghar for screening short films on Buddhism and Jainism on regular basis. A children's park and an amphitheatre would also be set up for holding variety of programmes regularly. The much awaited light and sound programme at Golghar is also included in the detailed project report (DPR). It would cost nearly Rs 3 crore.link