Parliament Question: Condition of Ancient Temples and Archaeological Monuments in Nashik

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1367 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2026 CONDITION OF ANCIENT TEMPLES AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL MONUMENTS IN NASHIK 1367. SHRI RAJABHAU PARAG PRAKASH WAJE: Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has assessed condition of ancient temples and archaeological monuments in Nashik district, particularly in view of the forthcoming SimhasthaKumbhMela, and urgent need for conservation, restoration and visitor infrastructure; (b) the details of all temples, monuments and heritage structures in Nashik district protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), along with the details of conservation, restoration and development works sanctioned, ongoing and completed during the last five years, including the funds allocated and utilised State/UT-wise and project-wise; (c) whether the Government has identified delays in execution, shortage of funds or administrative bottlenecks affecting these projects, and the details of action taken to ensure accountability; and (d) the details of the specific preparations, budgetary allocations, timelines and inter-agency coordination proposed for conservation of heritage temples, improvement of pilgrim amenities and protection of archaeological sites in Nashik ahead of forthcoming SimhasthaKumbhMela? ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) There are 11 Centrally Protected Monuments under the care and maintenance of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in Nashik District of Maharashtra and all are in good state of preservation. ASI takes up conservation and preservation work of centrally protected monuments as per the need of the monument and availability of resources. Further,in view of the forthcoming SimhasthaKumbhMela various works have been taken up by ASI at Trimbakeshwar Temple and adjoining Gayatri and Shiv Temples, Pandavlena Caves, Gondeshvar Temple of Mahadev are attached as Annexure I. Also Specific conservation, repair, restoration and protection works have been taken up at 6 unprotected heritage structures in Nashik and 8 unprotected heritage structures in Trimbakeshwar by Directorate of Archaeology & Museum , Govt. of Maharastra In addition, conservation and restoration works are also being undertaken at KushavartKund Part-II and Part-II, which are State Protected Monuments, as part of the preparations for the forthcoming SimhasthaKumbhMela.(b) The details of all centrally protected monuments protected by the ASI in Nashik district are attached as Annexure II. The details of available visitor amenities at the protected monuments/sites located in Nashik district is attached as Annexure III. The details of conservation and development works carried out at the centrally protected monuments located in Nashik district during the last five years are attached as Annexure IV. The details of funds allocated and utilized for the conservation and restoration work of centrally protected monuments during the last five years are attached as Annexure V. (c) No such delay in execution, shortage of funds or administrative bottlenecks has been identified by the ASI. (d) In view of the forthcoming SimhasthaKumbhMela 2027 necessary coordination is maintained among the Nashik-TrimbakeshwarSimhasthaKumbhMela Authority, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra, and other concerned departments and agencies. The details of works carried out by State Archaeology Department, Govt. of Maharashtra for conservation of heritage and improvement of pilgrim amenities pertaining to forthcoming SimhasthaKumbhMela are attached as Annexure VI.Annexure-I ANNEXURE REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1367FOR 27.07.2026. List of ongoing and proposed works of ASI at centrally protected monuments located in Nashik District A. Ongoing Works Sl. Name of works No. 1. Water tightening of the roof and minor repairs to Trimbakeshwar temple ,Trimbak dist. Nashik 2. Conservation and Repairs to Hindu temple at Devthan, Dist. Nashik 3. Frontage development of Pandavlena caves at Nashik, Dist. Nashik 4. Chemical cleaning and preservation of Exterior of the temple, Trimbakeshwar temple,Trimbak, Dist. Nashik B. Proposed Works Sl. Name of works No. 1. Trimbakeshwar Temple in connection with KUMBH Mela- Conservation to Northern and Eastern gate of Trimbakeshwar temple at Trimbak Dist. Nashik 2. Trimbakeshwar Temple in connection with KUMBH Mela- Heritage illumination of Trimbakeshwar temple at Trimbak Dist. Nashik 3. Improving the existing electric fittings and wiring within premises of the Trimbakeshwar temple, Trimbak dist. Nashik 4. Conservation of Gayatri temple adjacent to Trimbakeshwar temple, Trimbak Dist. Nashik 5. Trimbakeshwar Temple in connection with KUMBH Mela- Removal of Paver blocks and laying Stone slab flooring on ghat side in between Prakara and Godavari along ghat side at Trimbakeshwar temple at Trimbak Dist. Nashik 6. Trimbakeshwar Temple in connection with KUMBH Mela- Providing dwarf wall along with properly designed brass chain in front of temple on Northern side at Trimbakeshwar temple at Trimbak, Dist. Nashik 7. Trimbakeshwar Temple in connection with KUMBH Mela- Shifting of wooden Deoghar from Sabhamandapa to outside within prakara wall in consultation with temple trust and providing suitable glass shed at Trimbakeshwar temple at Trimbak Dist. Nashik 8. Trimbakeshwar Temple in connection with KUMBH Mela- Providing visitors amenities at Trimbakeshwar temple at Trimbak Dist. Nashik 9. KumbhMela special- Landscaping & Peripheral up gradation at Trimbakeshwar and adjoining temples at Trimbak, Dist. Nashik 10. Conservation & minor repairs to the temples at Anjaneri, Dist. Nashik 11. Conservation and repairs to Temple of Mahadev at Zodga, Dist. Nashik 12. Scientific and chemical treatment of Ankai Caves, NashikAnnexure-II ANNEXURE REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1367FOR 27.07.2026. List of Centrally Protected Monuments/Sites under the jurisdiction of ASIin District Nashik Sl. Name of the monuments Locality District No. 1. Hindu Temple Ambegaon Nasik 2. Old temples at Anjanner Anjaneri Nasik 3. Caves Ankai Nasik 4. Hindu temple Deothan Nasik 5. Old MatichiGadhi Nasik Nasik 6. Pandav Lena Caves Pathardi Nasik 7. The Temple of Aeshwar Sinnar Nasik 8. Gondeshvar Temple of Mahadev Sinnar Nasik 9. Tryambakeshwar Temple and Trimbak Nasik adjoiningGayatri and Shiv Temples alongwith area comprised in survey plot numbers 10,11,12,13, and parts of survey plot numbers 9, 1327 and 1339 10. Jaina Cave Tringalwadi Nasik 11. The Hemadpanti Temple of Mahadeo Zodga NasikAnnexure-III ANNEXURE REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1367FOR 27.07.2026. The details of available visitor amenities at the ASI protected monuments/sites located in Nashik district Sl. No. Monument / Site Amenities Available 1. Tryambakeshwar Temple Cultural Notice Board (English , Hindi & Marathi), and adjoining Gayatri and Protection Notice Board, Toilet (Female, Male Shiv Temples &Divyang), Drinking Water, Garbage Bin, Benches, First Aid, CCTV 2. Pandav Lena Caves Cultural Notice Board (English, Hindi & QR Code based), Protection Notice Board, Toilet (Female, Male &Divyang), Drinking Water, Garbage Bin, Benches, First Aid, CCTV, Souvenir/ Publication Counter 3. The Temple of Aeshwar Cultural Notice Board (English, Hindi & Marathi), Protection Notice Board, Garbage bin, Benches 4. Gondeshvar Temple of Cultural Notice Board (English, Hindi & Marathi), Mahadev Protection Notice Board, Garbage bin, Benches 5. Caves, Ankai Cultural Notice Board (English, Hindi & Marathi), Protection Notice Board, Garbage bin, Benches 6. Hindu Temple, Protection Notice Board, Benches, Garbage bin Ambegaon 7. The Hemadpanti Temple Protection Notice Board, Drinking Water, Benches, of Mahdeo, Zodga Garbage bin 8. Old Temple, Anjaneri Protection Notice Board, Garbage bin, Benches 9. Hindu Temple, Deothan Protection Notice Board, Benches, Garbage bin 10. Jaina Cave, Tringalwadi Protection Notice Board, Benches, Garbage binAnnexure IV ANNEXURE REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1367FOR 27.07.2026. Details of Conservation and Development Works executed at Centrally Protected Monuments of ASI located in Nashik District during the last five years 2021-22 Sl.No. Name of Works 1. Conservation of Hindu temple at Deothan, Dist - Nashik 2. Repairs to old group of temple at Anjaneri, Dist - Nashik 3. Providing approach pathway and steps from bottom to hillock towards the hill top of Pandavlena caves at Nashik, Dist - Nashik 4. Providing rain water drain and repairs to caves no. 13 to 24 at Pandavlena caves at Nashik, Dist - Nashik 2022-23 Sl.No. Name of Works 1. Repairs to old group of temple at Anjaneri, Dist - Nashik 2. Providing tourist facilities at Pandavlena caves at Nashik, Dist - Nashik 3. Public amenities at Gondeshwar temple at Sinnar, Dist - Nashik 2023-24 Sl.No. Name of Works 1. Providing M.S. grill fencing to protected area at Aishwar temple at Sinner, Dist - Nashik 2. Public amenities at Aishwar temple at Sinnar, Dist - Nashik 3. Tourist facilities at Ankai caves at Manmad, Dist - Nashik 4. Construction of toilet at Pandavlena caves at Nashik, Dist - Nashik 5. Construction of retaining wall and pathway beyond cave no. 25 Pandavlena caves at Nashik, Dist - Nashik 6. Conservation of Hindu temple at DevthanDist– Nashik 7. Chemcial Cleaning and preservation of interior of the temple 2024-25 Sl.No. Name of Works 1. Construction of retaining wall MS grill in front of cave. No.24 at Pandavlena caves, Nashik, Dist - Nashik 2. Restoration and conservation of deep stambha and Dhwajastambha at the top of the temple at Trimbakeshwar, Dist - Nashik 3. Public amenities at Aishwar temple at Sinnar, Dist - Nashik 2025-26Sl.No. Name of Works 1. Construction of retaining wall MS grill in front of cave. No.24 at Pandavlena caves, Nashik, Dist - Nashik 2. Restoration and conservation of deep stambha and Dhwajastambha at the top of the temple at Trimbakeshwar, Dist - Nashik Annexure-V ANNEXURE REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1367FOR 27.07.2026. EXPENDITURE INCURRED ON CENTRALLY PROTECTED MONUMENTS LOCATED IN NASHIK DISTRICT UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF ASI DURING THE LAST FIVE YEARS AND CURRENT YEAR Expenditure (In Rs.) Sl. Name of monuments 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 No. (Till date) 1. Pandav Lena Caves, 3216974 4132703 9572146 4236491 5545354 1165446 Pathardi, Dist- Nashik 2. Hindu temple at 230345 887663 895503 259663 67596 72130 Ambegaon, Dist- Nashik 3. Caves at Ankai, Dist- 112039 752213 3201855 494206 121173 184910 Nashik 4. Temple of 642608 1316650 1036271 750348 467704 4475987 TrimbakeshwarTrimbak, Dist-Nashik 5. Hindu temple at 805717 1586905 51759 47995 4654 4530 Deothan, Dist-Nashik 6. Old temple at Anjaneri, 9990937 6818173 1341796 748950 126940 170128 Dist-Nashik 7. Temple of 375048 6525830 863877 837284 283820 201952 GondeshwarMahadev, Sinnar, Dist- Nashik 8. Jaina Cave at 312055 384212 283589 260267 67363 81287 Tringalwadi, Dist- NashikExpenditure (In Rs.) Sl. Name of monuments 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 No. (Till date) 9. The Temple of 274159 545080 8443535 272391 36867 122256 AishwarSinnar, dist- Nashik 10. The Hemadpanti temple 456649 1101394 708627 614989 510024 64867 of Mahadeo, Zodga, Dist - Nashik Annexure-VI ANNEXURE REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1367FOR 27.07.2026. The details of works carried out by State Archaeology Department, Govt. of Maharashtra for conservation of heritage and improvement of pilgrim amenities Sr. Name of the A.A. (CR) Tender Work Order Contractor Current status of No. work Amount Date the work 1. Naroshankar 3.91 2,78,83,425 15.12.2025 Savani Heritage, The work order for Temple Mumbai the conservation- repair work has been issued to the contractor, and the work is in progress. 2. Ajgareshwar 1.50 1,12,98,612 25.11.2025 Mubarak Pathan, The work order for Baba Samadhi Sambhajinagar the conservation- Temple repair work has been issued to the contractor, and the work is in progress. 3. EkMukhiDatta 5.53 3,98,66,404 25.11.2025 Savani Heritage, The work order for Temple to Mumbai the conservation- BalajiKot Wall repair work has been Temple issued to the contractor, and the work is in progress. 4. Modakeshwar 3.00 1,96,88,721 25.03.2026 Savani Heritage, The work order for Temple Precinct Mumbai the conservation- &Talkuteshwar repair work has been Temple issued to the contractor, and the work is in progress. 5. Kashivishveshw 3.00 2,08,42,271 15.12.2025 Savani Heritage, The work order for ar Temple – Mumbai the conservation- Sandavyachi repair work has been Devi issued to the contractor, and thework is in progress. 6. Sundarnarayan 1.86 1,35,00,432 25.03.2026 Savani Heritage, The work order for Temple Mumbai the conservation- (Protective repair work has been Wall) issued to the contractor, and the work is in progress. 7. Gautameshwar 0.50 32,18,268 12.02.2026 Unity Heritage, The work order for Temple Sambhajinagar the conservation- repair work has been issued to the contractor, and the work is in progress. 8. Gautameshwar 1.00 66,89,555 18.03.2026 Shaikh RiyazIjaj, The work order for Lake Sambhajinagar the conservation- repair work has been issued to the contractor, and the work is in progress. 9. SangamTirtha 0.50 31,93,963 12.02.2026 Unity Heritage, The work order for (Old Sambhajinagar the conservation- Kushavarta&Ku repair work has been nd) issued to the contractor, and the work is in progress. 10. IndraKund 3.00 1,76,39,304 01.01.2026 Mubarak Pathan, The work order for Sambhajinagar the conservation- repair work has been issued to the contractor, and the work is in progress. 11. BilvaTirtha 10.99 8,20,70,067 22.01.2026 Saiprem The work order for Construction, Latur the conservation- repair work has been issued to the contractor, and the work is in progress. 12. Mukundeshwar 5.73 4,25,49,913 01.01.2026 Gajraj The work order for Temple & Lake Construction, Latur the conservation- repair work has been issued to the contractor, and the work is in progress. 13. PrayagTirth 10.00 6,89,14,603 01.01.2026 Gajraj The work order for Construction, Latur the conservation- repair work has been issued to the contractor, and the work is in progress. 14. ChokhobaMaha 0.25 17,77,794 12.02.2026 Unity Heritage, The work order for raj Temple Sambhajinagar the conservation- repair work has been issued to the contractor, and the work is in progress.15. KushavartaKun 3.12 2,25,10,544 25.03.2026 Savani Heritage, The work order for d (Phase-II) Mumbai the conservation- repair work has been issued to the contractor, and the work is in progress. 16. KushavartaKun 1.83 1,34,80,843 25.03.2026 Savani Heritage, The work order for d (Phase-III) Mumbai the conservation- repair work has been issued to the contractor, and the work is in progress. Total 55.72 39,51,24,719 -----