Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday took stock of various projects approved by the state government for the development of prominent temples and other important pilgrimage places.

The state government had approved a budget of Rs 334 crore for the development of 64 pilgrimage places, said a state government release.

During the review meeting, the CM was apprised that 26 projects worth Rs 152.55 crore of the 64 approved projects are started. A total of 38 projects worth Rs 177.80 crore are in the pipeline and will soon start after getting the required clearances, it said.

A "master plan" has been prepared for the development of major pilgrimage places, such as Ambaji, Dwarka, Bahucharaji, Mata No Madh and Madhavpur, the CM was told.

Moreover, the budget will be spent on the development of holy places of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe communities,? as per the release.

Apart from the main temple on top of the Ambaji hill in Banaskantha district, there are temples of 51 'Shakti Peethas' on that hill. In the coming days, a three-day 'Parikrama Mahotsav' will be organised covering these Shakti Peethas.

Currently, solar panels were installed at 349 holy places in Gujarat, which saves electricity worth Rs 3 crore every year, the government said.

-With PTI Input