The state celebrated World Tourism Day on Thursday, but Kenduli — a prominent tourist place situated 15km from here — continued to gasp for life.

Kenduli, part of finance minister Sashi Bhusan Behera’s Assembly constituency, is popular as the birthplace of poet Jayadev. His 12th century epic Gita Govinda has immortalised the relationship between Krishna and Gopis.

In 1973, a museum was built at Kenduli to showcase the birthplace of the poet. Years later, between 2006 and 2010, efforts were made to popularise the place with the then chief secretary Ajit Tripathy taking the lead.

A revamp was undertaken and a few high mast lights were installed.

Sound systems were installed to let visitors enjoy the music and lyrics of Gita Govinda. But when Tripathy retired, Kenduli fell off government radar.

A statue of poet Jayadev Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Eminent historian and executive trustee of Jayadev Foundation Prafulla Chandra Tripathy said: “The place is associated with Odia pride and occupies an important place in Jagannath culture. The place is now a den of goons and drunkards.”

A local resident said: “A few days ago the local MLA and finance minister Sashi Bhusan Behera had visited the place, but nothing has improved so far.”

The shock that the museum is greets visitors at its dirty entrance. Inside, the museum is covered with cobwebs. The museum gallery lies broken and infested with insects and white ants. Termites have destroyed most of the doors. Even the bathroom door has not been spared.

There was a plan to install 12 bronze idols of Lord Krishna depicting his love for Radha at various places of the garden.

All the idols, except one, are ready for installation but they lie locked in a guarded room.

The uncared for garden is now covered with bushes and shrubs and there is none to clean up the place.

Historian Tripathy said: “Even the beat house set up by the police is closed. I met police commissioner Satyajit Mohanty and lodged a complaint about how the place has turned into a den of goons. I urged the police commissioner to ensure a peaceful atmosphere so that all the tourists can come to the place.”

Ajit Tripathy, however, said: “If the local people don’t have a sense of belonging, no government effort can be fruitful. The effort to bring the place on the tourism map has been defeated.”

He said: “With central fund, a herbal garden was built. The trees that were planted were those described in Gita Govinda. But the trees do not exist anymore.”

A senior official said: “As some influential people have an eye on the 17 acres, the place is being destroyed.”

Behera, however, said: “I am committed to the development of the site. A budgetary provision of Rs 7.5 crore has been made for the renovation. It will be connected to the tourist circuit. Administrative approval of Rs 2 crore has already been made and work will begin shortly.”