This document summarizes the Ministry of Tourism's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1314, answered on July 28, 2025, regarding the allocation of funds for temples under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme.
The Ministry of Tourism provides financial assistance to State Governments and Union Territory Administrations for tourism infrastructure development at pre-identified religious and heritage sites, including those in Rajasthan, through the PRASHAD scheme.
To date, the Ministry has sanctioned a project for the Integrated Development of Pushkar-Ajmer in Rajasthan at a cost of Rs. 32.64 crore, with Rs. 26.11 crore already released. Key interventions under this project include: development at Ajmer Sharif Dargah, improvement of Delhi gate and Dargah gate chowk, establishment of a Tourist Information Kiosk at the Railway Bus Stand, restoration and development works at Pushkar Sarovar and Pushkar Market Street, and development work at the Brahma temple, Savitri Mata temple Parikrama Path in Pushkar.
Currently, the Ministry of Tourism does not have any proposals under consideration to develop Kharnal (the birthplace of folk deity Tejaji) and Muqaam (the place of penance of Guru Jambheshwar in Nagaur) under the PRASHAD scheme. The Ministry continuously receives proposals from State Governments/UT Administrations, which are examined according to prescribed guidelines. Financial assistance is extended to projects that fulfill the stipulated conditions and are subject to the availability of funds.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and promotion of tourism in India.
PRASHAD Scheme: Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) is a scheme by the Ministry of Tourism to develop tourism infrastructure at religious sites.
Rajasthan: A state in India where funds under the PRASHAD scheme have been allocated for development of religious sites.
SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL: A member of Lok Sabha who asked a question regarding allocation of funds for temples under PRASHAD scheme.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: The Minister of Tourism who answered the question regarding allocation of funds under PRASHAD scheme.
Pushkar, Rajasthan: A town in Rajasthan where integrated development projects have been sanctioned under the PRASHAD scheme.
Ajmer, Rajasthan: A city in Rajasthan where integrated development projects have been sanctioned under the PRASHAD scheme, including Ajmer Sharif Dargah.
Nagaur, Rajasthan: A district in Rajasthan, specifically mentioned in relation to Kharnal and Muqaam, sites for which funds were requested but not sanctioned under the PRASHAD scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.+1314
ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR TEMPLES UNDER PRASHAD SCHEME
+1314. SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government allocated funds under the Pilgrimage
Rejuvenation And Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme
for the development of temples to promote religious tourism
experiences;
(b) if so, the religious site-wise details of the funds, works approved in
Rajasthan under the said scheme so far;
(c) whether the Government proposes to sanction any funds for Kharnal,
the birthplace of folk deity Tejaji and Muqaam, the place of penance
of Guru Jambheshwar in Nagaur under the said scheme; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) and (b): The Ministry of Tourism under the “Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and
Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive” (PRASHAD) provides financial
assistance to the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations
for development of tourism infrastructure at pre-identified religious and
heritage sites across the country, including the State of Rajasthan.
Under the scheme, the Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned a project
‘Integrated Development of Pushkar/Ajmer’ in Rajasthan at a cost of
Rs.32.64 crore and an amount of Rs.26.11 crore has been released till date.
Key interventions under the project include the following:
(i) Development at Ajmer Sharif Dargah.
(ii) Improvement of Delhi gate and Dargah gate chowk.
(iii) Tourist Information Kiosk at Railway & Bus Stand Restoration &
Development works at Pushkar Sarovar, Pushkar Market Street.(iv) Development work at Brahma temple, Savitri Mata temple &
Parikrama Path, Pushkar.
(c) and (d): No proposal is under the consideration of the Ministry of
Tourism to develop Kharnal, the birthplace of folk deity Tejaji and Muqaam,
the place of penance of Guru Jambheshwar in Nagaur under PRASHAD.
Receiving proposals from the State Governments/UT Administration for
financial assistance for tourism projects is a continuous process. The
proposals received are examined with reference to the prescribed
guidelines and financial assistance is extended for such projects subject to
fulfillment of the stipulated conditions and availability of funds.
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