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Sunday, May 01, 2005

Gangadham 

[From Sepia Mutiny] The BBC reports on the plans to create a theme park based on Hindu mythology. Sounds like an interesting idea.

Its backers describe it as the "world's biggest ever mythological theme park". Hindu gods such as Ram, Hanuman and Krishna will be the central attractions for a 'Disneyland on the Ganges' in India.

The aim of the 25 acre park, called Gangadham, is to recreate great moments in Hindu mythology through hi-tech rides, an animated mythological museum, a "temple city", food courts and a sound and light show.

I am concerned, as Abhi is, about the possibility of controversies related to the park, and the fallout thereof. I am just a little worried about what that could imply for Hinduism as a whole. Plus, I have certain problems with marketing the theme park as 'A spiritual theme park', but anyway, there are bound to be cross-cultural issues in the business side of things for a project like this. The park will be in India, but the promoters are counting on non-resident Indians to raise a good chunk of the funds. An article in the Indus Business Journal mentioned that they were planning to raise a third of the initial funding, or about 2 million dollars, from non-resident Indians, so it might be a good idea for promoters to address their concerns as well.

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