The Chief Minister's Office of Bihar announced on Tuesday, 16 June 2026 that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has stated that a helipad and ropeway will be constructed at Maa Mundeshwari Dham in Kaimur district to give the ancient shrine international recognition and promote religious and tourism activities at the site.

Context

Speaking at a public event, CM Nitish Kumar declared: 'Maa Mundeshwari Dham ko antarrashtriya pahchaan dilaane tatha dharmic evam paryatan gatividhiyon ko badhawa dene ke uddeshya se yahaan helipad evam rope-way ka nirman karaaya jaayega' — meaning, 'A helipad and ropeway will be constructed here with the aim of giving Maa Mundeshwari Dham international recognition and promoting religious and tourism activities.' The announcement was shared through the official handle of the Chief Minister's Office of Bihar on X.

Maa Mundeshwari Dham, located atop the Pawura Hill in Kaimur district, is widely regarded as one of India's oldest continuously functioning Hindu temples, with origins traced back to the 7th century CE or earlier. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Mundeshwari and Lord Shiva, drawing pilgrims from across Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh.

Policy Backdrop

The Bihar government has for several years pursued a policy of upgrading physical infrastructure at major religious sites to stimulate pilgrimage tourism. Earlier interventions at Mundeshwari Dham included improved access roads and basic amenities funded through state tourism schemes.

Ropeway and helipad projects have become a recognisable instrument in this approach — mirroring similar connectivity upgrades at hill-top temples across northern and eastern India. A ropeway would significantly reduce the physical difficulty of ascending to the hilltop shrine, potentially expanding the pilgrim base to elderly visitors and those with limited mobility.

Stakeholders and Impact

The primary beneficiaries of the proposed infrastructure would be pilgrims and religious tourists who currently navigate a steep hill approach to reach the temple. Local residents and small businesses in Kaimur district — one of Bihar's economically weaker districts — stand to gain from increased tourist footfall if the project materialises.

A helipad would also open the site to helicopter pilgrimage packages, a segment that has grown in popularity at sites such as Kedarnath and Vaishno Devi. International recognition, as articulated by CM Nitish Kumar, could attract diaspora pilgrims and heritage tourists, broadening the economic impact beyond domestic visitors.

What's Next

The government is yet to announce a formal tendering process, construction timeline, or budget allocation for the helipad and ropeway. Key steps to watch include land acquisition on the hilltop, environmental clearances for the ropeway alignment, and any potential integration with central government tourism or pilgrimage schemes.

If executed, the project would mark a significant upgrade in Kaimur's tourism profile and could position Maa Mundeshwari Dham alongside Bihar's better-known religious circuits such as Bodh Gaya and Rajgir in state and national tourism planning.