Devotees walking to the Samadha temple in Hansi, Haryana could soon be treated to a far more pleasant journey, after the local municipal council drew up a plan to give the entire approach road a makeover. The blueprint has already been sent for approval, and if it clears that hurdle, the stretch could turn into one of the town's standout landmarks.
A smart road stretching to Sisay bridge
Under the council's plan, the entire stretch from Samadha temple to Sisay bridge will be developed as a smart road. That means this isn't just a resurfacing job, it is a full makeover of the corridor. Officials say the project should benefit not only devotees heading to the temple but also the residents who live along the route.
Colourful tiles, lighting and greenery for a fresh look
The proposal includes laying colourful tiles along the road so the stretch looks visually appealing. Decorative lighting will also be installed at several points so the road stays lit up through the evening and night. A green belt is planned along the sides to add greenery, and benches will be placed at multiple spots so devotees and passersby can rest for a while.
Seven spots designed just for selfies
The most eye catching part of the plan is that roughly seven locations along the road will be turned into dedicated selfie points. Council officials expect these spots to change how people experience the route, turning it from a simple passage into a place where visitors pause to take pictures. The hope is that this will give the area a fresh identity of its own.
The project is still waiting for a green light
The council has already prepared the drawing and cost estimate for the project and sent it to headquarters for clearance roughly a week ago. Everyone is now watching for that approval to come through. Once it does, the tender process will begin, and only after that will actual construction start on the ground. In other words, the plan currently exists only on paper, and turning it into reality will take a bit more time.
Tuesdays and Saturdays bring crowds like a fair
Large numbers of devotees gather at Samadha temple every Tuesday and Saturday. People travel here not just from Hansi or elsewhere in Haryana but from other states as well. During the Panchami fair, that footfall multiplies many times over. It is this steadily rising crowd that pushed the municipal council to think about organising the route better.
Small green pockets for sitting and strolling
As part of the plan, a green belt will be developed on both sides of the road wherever space allows. There is also a proposal to build small parks along the roadside where people can sit down and unwind for a bit. The council's aim is for this stretch to become more than just a way to reach the temple, turning it into a spot where locals too can relax and spend time.
A grand gate planned near Sisay bridge
The start of the smart road is also getting special attention. Near Sisay bridge, right by the police outpost, an impressive entrance gate is planned. A separate cost estimate is being drawn up for this structure. Officials say that once the gate is built, anyone passing through will immediately sense that this route leading to Samadha temple has a distinct identity. This part of the project, too, is still awaiting approval, and only after headquarters signs off will the tender and construction process move forward.
A shrine once surrounded by fields and orchards
Samadha temple is counted among Hansi's oldest religious sites. Older residents recall that the temple was once ringed by farmland and orchards. But as the town of Hansi expanded over the years, the area around the shrine gradually turned into a densely populated neighbourhood. That is part of why the demand to improve the approach road has been building for a long time.
A faith tied to the memory of Baba Jagannath Puri
The temple's significance is also linked to Baba Jagannath Puri. According to belief associated with the shrine, Baba Jagannath Puri spread a message of love, harmony and brotherhood among his followers. Over time, this place, bound to his memory, became a major centre of faith for devotees. That is why large numbers of devotees connected to Baba Jagannath Puri's memory turn up here during the Panchami fair as well.
