Year after inauguration, Valmiki panorama faces visitor drought

Just like the fate of other panoramas and museums developed in the holy city, the ultra-modern panorama dedicated to sage Valmiki has seen very few visitors since its inauguration by the Punjab Government. Located near the Ram Tirath Temple, which is also known as Bhagwan Valmiki Asthan, the Bhagwan Valmiki Panorama was opened to the public in October last year. It showcases various aspects of the life and legacy of Adikavi Valmiki.

A recent visit to the temple revealed that only a handful of people show any interest in the panorama, which was constructed at a cost of

Rs 32.78 crore. At the entrance, overgrown wild plants and unkempt lawns give the area a shabby appearance. The rally hall near the panorama building, constructed during the SAD-BJP regime, is also in urgent need of attention.

Amritsar already houses several historic attractions such as the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama in the Ram Bagh (popularly known as Company Bagh) and a museum at the Summer Palace of the legendary Sikh ruler, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, both developed to attract tourists who come to the city to visit the Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh and the Attari-Wagah border.

However, much like the fate of these heritage sites, the Bhagwan Valmiki Panorama also struggles to draw visitors.

“Only one or two people visit the panorama daily,” said a staff member of the panorama’s technical team, while wishing not to be named. “Even those who come leave within 20 to 30 minutes, though it takes over an hour to fully explore the complex, which features 3D screens showcasing the life of sage Valmiki and the epic, Ramayana,” he added.

Kumar Darshan, Chairman of the Paavan Valmiki Tirath Action Committee, said the lack of publicity and promotional efforts by the state government and the Tourism Department are the primary reasons behind the low footfall.

“You won’t find a single hoarding or piece of publicity material in the city, let alone in other parts of Punjab or the country,” he said.

The panorama features 14 galleries, each dedicated to a specific facet of Sage Valmiki’s life and the Ramayana. The state-of-the-art panorama uses modern technology to narrate the life, teachings and contributions of sage Valmiki.

Amritsar