Pinjore heritage site gets a face-lift

Pinjore is a part of Panchkula district of the state of Haryana. It is located at the confluence of river Jhajjar and Kaushalya (tributaries of Ghaggar) in the lower Shivalik ranges. It is an ancient religious and historical place and derives its name from Panchpura- the town of Pandavs.

Built in the 17th century by Aurangzeb's architect and foster brother Fidai Khan, appointed as the Governor of Punjab. Fidai Khan was possibly inspired by the springs of Pinjore.
In the vicinity of Pinjore Gardens, there is an ancient temple known as 'Bhima Devi Temple'. A chance discovery of art objects in a field near Bhima Devi Temple in 1974 led the Archaeology Department to declare it as protected.

Five ancient plinths, a large number of beautiful sculptures and architectural members of Gurjar Pratihara School of Art of 8th to 12th century AD.have come to light during this chance discovery.

It is felt that it was a "Panchayatan" Group of Temples.
The architectural and technique of construction can be compared with the contemporary temples of Khajuraho and Bhubaneshwar.

Haryana Tourism under Tourism Minister Kiran Choudhry has taken up the challenging task of restoration of these ancient heritages. Entire area of Mughal Gardens got a face-lift in the traditional style reminiscent of the old Mughal times. The restoration and beautification work of Bhima Devi Temple and its vicinity is at the final stages and it would be thrown open for visitors very soon. Mughal Gardens and the Bhima Devi temple are connected with a well-lit broadened road to make it an integrated circuit.

The heritage is at its best with the introduction of Heritage Chariot Train, a prototype of one of the few Luxury Heritage Trains that are operating in India. The train was flagged off by the Tourism Minister and proved to be a big hit amongst tiny tots almost immediately. The train ferries around the beautiful structure all around the Mughal Gardens
The train is targeted to serve high end European and American travelers as well who wish to see the ancient locomotives of India. "It reminds me of Heritage on Wheels, a luxury train of Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and Indian Railways," commented one of the tourists.

Its history is a rich tapestry of the ancient, the medieval and the modern. The highway of history, Haryana bears the footprints of kings and warriors, saint and sages, sufis and savants. The continuity of its rich past has been unbroken through ages, with legends of the epic heroes and places of pilgrimage like temples, sarovars and dargahs. The resilience of the spirit of its people finds resurgence against a continuous back-drop of invasions and battles - triumphs and conquests!