Lucknow, Oct. 25 -- A riverfront ghat, a parikrama route and an aarti site are extending Uttar Pradesh's Valmiki heritage programme across the sacred landscape of Lalapur in Chitrakoot. Alongside a nearly completed tourism facility centre, the projects will give pilgrims more accessible spaces to experience the traditions associated with the Ramayana's author.

Ahead of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti on October 26, the development at Lalapur highlights the Yogi Adityanath government's effort to connect cultural recognition with infrastructure at places associated with the sage. The wider programme includes sites in Ayodhya and Etawah, forming part of Uttar Pradesh's work on Ramayana heritage and pilgrimage tourism.

UP Tourism and Culture Minist...