‘Sleeping Buddha' in Shahpur to be developed to attract tourists

Source: Hindu

Nature's beauty: ‘Sleeping Buddha' is a series of hillocks on the outskirts of Shahpur town in Yadgir district.
Shahapur (Yadgir district): The Union Government has agreed to contribute Rs. 4.38 crore to develop “Sleeping Buddha” in Yadgir district as a tourist spot.
The “Sleeping Buddha”, considered be Nature's tribute to Lord Buddha, is a series of hills on the outskirts of Shahpur town in Yadgir district which look like Lord Buddha in sleeping posture. And it is particularly so if one sees the rocky formation from one particular spot.
The “Sleeping Buddha” is a perfect picture of Lord Buddha with a sharp nose, curly hair tied together in a bun and folded hands placed on the chest. While the rocky formation gives a perfect picture of “Sleeping Buddha”, when one moves away from the spot, the rocky formation is just hills like any other.
Secretary of the Hyderabad Karnataka Development Board Shalini Rajneesh Goel had mooted the idea of developing this particular spot into a tourist spot. Later, the State Government had sent a detailed proposal to that effect to the Union Government.
The Union Government, according to official sources here, has given its assent for the Rs. 4.38-crore project, which includes construction of a pathway and allied works at a cost of Rs. 36.43 lakh, construction of a viewing deck and allied works at a cost of Rs. 24.61 lakh, providing parking facilities at a cost of Rs. 26.35 lakh, setting up of an open-air theatre at a cost of Rs. 97.29 lakh, a meditation platform at a cost of Rs. 26.02 lakh, solar illumination works at a cost of Rs. 30.68 lakh, fencing works at a cost of Rs. 27.78 lakh, wayside facilities at a cost of Rs. 1.52 crore, and display of signages at a cost of Rs. 4 lakh.

The official sources told The Hindu here on Thursday that the Union Government has released Rs. 40 lakh, which is the first instalment of the Rs. 4.38 crore promised for the project, to the Deputy Commissioner of Yadgir district. In the first phase, a road would be laid connecting Shahpur and Bangalore, and a viewing deck would be constructed. The authorities also propose to develop the beautiful tank at the base of the hillock with boating facilities so that it becomes an added attraction to the tourists.