Tourists' resort at Manersharif to become operational soon

MANER (PATNA): Bihar's first resort for tourists at the famous Sufi centre -- Manersharif -- would soon be a reality. The area in and around the
resort would be developed at par with international standards to attract Asian and domestic tourists
. Manersharif is barely 32 km away from west of Patna on Patna-Ara highway.

Manersharif is the most important and oldest centre of Sufis in Bihar. Maner has the tombs of several Sufi saints, including the Mausoleum of Shah Daulat, a contemporary of Akbar and Jehangir. Sufism is still a living tradition in Bihar and many important centres of the Sufis continue to flourish even today.

This resort has been designed to cater to the needs of family willing to spend a weekend at the resort. As of now, there is no such place in the nearby areas where a family can spend a day with all basic amenities.

The facilities would be designed to cater to the needs of children and health conscious citizens. It would be designed in an eco-friendly atmosphere and tourists can enjoy their outing away from hustle and bustle of the city.

The project includes construction of a 32-room hotel, gymnasium, conference room, car parking, landscaping in and around the hotel, flood lights, tubewells for water supply, boating, cafeteria, with proper lighting.

"This project has already been delayed. The Centre has already released Rs 7 crore for developing this resort for tourists," said a senior official of the tourism department.

Bihar's building construction department has been given the job of construction of the hotel. The Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) would invite tenders to run this hotel under private-public partnership, said an official.

The work on the development of pond facing the monument would start after clearance from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The removal of all the vegetation developed inside the pond, construction of staircase and pathway are also on the cards. Boating in the pond would be an added attraction for the visiting tourists.

"Almost 90 per cent work at the site has been completed. The resort would become operational within six months. At present, the cafeteria is being run by the BSTDC," said an official.

The BSTDC-run cafeteria at Manersharif is still the favourite eating joint for those who are passing through Maner en route Ara and beyond. "It gives us an ambience of peaceful atmosphere. It also offers simple home-made food, but it requires more facilities," said a couple who were having lunch at the restaurant.