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Chennai: Union Tourism Minister Jagmohan on July 2 described as "imaginative", reports that the Ayodhya issue figured during his talks with the Kanchi seer Jayendra Saraswathi on July 1 and said only steps to preserve heritage sites in Kancheepuram had been discussed.

"I only discussed steps to preserve the heritage sites in Kancheepuram," he told reporters.

"Over 15 government officials were with me when I had discussions with the Acharya. Do you think I will discuss the Ayodhya issue with him with the officials around?" he asked.

He said he also had discussions on creating an 'Adi Sankara' tourist circuit, covering the places visited by Adi Sankara.

Denying that there was a decline in tourist arrivals in the country, he said in 2002 it registered a 14 per cent growth, despite a general decline in tourism in the world. The foreign exchange earned through tourists from abroad also had gone up by 16 per cent, he said.

On domestic tourism, the growth was 34 per cent last year, with 2.74 crore people visiting heritage sites like Kurukshetra.

The famous sea resort of Mahabalipuram had been chosen as a hub for tourism activities in Tamil Nadu and the Centre would spend Rs five crore for creating more facilities there. The main thrust would be to beautify the shore temple and Arjun Tapas rock there, he said, adding two light and sound shows would organised there.

An arts and crafts village would also created at a cost of Rs one crore, he said.

PTI