Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda Wednesday visited the ancient Bhima Devi temple in Pinjore near here today to see for himself the remnants of the temple having great religious and historical significance and directed the Tourism Department to develop it on the pattern of Sri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine complex so as to facilitate the pilgrims and tourists.

The Chief Minister, who later reviewed the development plan of Bhima Devi temple in a meeting with Haryana Minister of State for Tourism, Kiran Choudhry and Commissioner and Secretary Tourism, Mrs Kesni Anand Arora at Pinjore, also gave his approval to provide connectivity between historic Yadavindra Gardens and Bhima Devi temple as a part of the plan for integrated development of these two historic places. While the Yadavindra Gardens were originally built in the 17th century by Nawab Fidai Khan, foster brother of Emperor Aurangzeb, the Bhima Devi Temple stylized as the "Panchayatan" group of temples is believed to be built between 9th and 11th century.

The Chief Minister  evinced keen interest in stone carved sculptures and especially enquired about a centuries old 'Shiva Lingam" excavated from that site. He directed the officers of Archeology Department that keeping in view the antiquity and significance of the "Shiva Lingam", it be preserved at a more safer place.  Hooda also saw some of the sculptures kept in three display rooms near the site of the temple and also went to see the nearby spring.

While apprising the Chief Minister about various aspects of the Bhima Devi Temple,  Kiran Choudhary said that it had been thrice vandalised and what now remained was only its plinth and damaged stone carved sculptures. She pointed out that it was the chance discovery of some art objects in a field near Bhima Devi temple in 1974 that it led the Archeology Department to declare it as a protected under the Punjab Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archeological Sites and Remains Act-1964.

It was informed that Nasir-u-din Mahmood, son of emperor Iltutmish, demolished the temple in 1254 A.D. and the town of Pinjore faced successive invasions by Taimoor in 1399 A.D. and Changez Khan in 1507 A.D. Again in 1666 the temple was demolished by Fidai Khan, the then Governor of Sirhind and it is believed that Pinjore Gardens were partly constructed with the debris of the temple.