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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1577
ANSWERED ON 12.02.2026
DEVELOPMENT OF JAIN TOURISM CIRCUIT
1577 MS. SWATI MALIWAL:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government proposes to identify and develop a dedicated Jain circuit as a thematic
tourism circuit, on the lines of Buddhist circuit under the Swadesh Darshan scheme;
(b) if so, the details of Jain religious and heritage sites proposed to be included in such a circuit,
State-wise;
(c) whether any proposal in this regard have been received from State Governments or other
stakeholders and if so, the details thereof;
(d) the estimated cost, funding pattern and timeline for development of proposed Jain circuit; and
(e) the steps proposed to promote Jain tourism at the national and international level?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (e): While development and promotion of tourism and identification of tourist sites are
primarily undertaken by the concerned State Government/UT Administration, the Ministry of Tourism
through its various schemes provides financial assistance for development of tourism infrastructure and
enhancement of tourism experiences in the country to the State Governments/UT Administrations on
receipt of project proposals from them in line with the scheme guidelines, government directions,
availability of funds, inter-se priority etc.
The Ministry launched its Swadesh Darshan scheme (central sector scheme) in 2014-15 and
sanctioned 76 projects for Rs.5290.33 Crore under various identified thematic circuits. Heritage circuit
and Tirthankar (Jain) Circuit are one of the identified thematic circuits under SDS. Further, Ministry of
Tourism has sanctioned one project namely ‘Development of Vaishali–Arrah–Masad–Patna–Rajgir–
Pawapuri–Champapuri’ in 2016-17 under Tirthankar (Jain) Circuit for Rs.33.96 Crore in Bihar and the
project has been reported as physically completed.
The Ministry of Tourism has now revamped the scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 with the focus
on destination development and has sanctioned 53 projects under SD2.0. In addition, the Ministry has
also sanctioned 38 projects under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), a sub-scheme
of Swadesh Darshan. The projects sanctioned under SD2.0 and CBDD cover multiple tourism aspects
including those related to Indian heritage.
Receiving project proposals under the scheme is part of process. Presently, there is no proposal
is under consideration for the development of Jain Circuit under the aforesaid schemes in the country.Details of the projects sanctioned under Heritage Circuit theme of SD Scheme and projects
sanctioned in SD2.0 and CBDD is annexed.
The Ministry as part of its ongoing promotional activities holistically promotes various
tourism destinations and products of the country including those related to Jain tourism through its
website, social media activities, events etc.
*****ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION
NO.1577 ANSWERED ON 12.02.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF JAIN TOURISM
CIRCUIT RAISED BY MS. SWATI MALIWAL
(i) Details of the projects sanctioned under Heritage Circuit theme of SD Scheme in the country:
(Amount in ₹Crore)
S. Circuit / Name of Sanctioned Cost Amount
No. Sanction Year the Sanctioned
Project
1. Assam Heritage Development of Tezpur – Majuli – Sibsagar 90.98
Circuit
2016-17
2. Gujarat Heritage Development of Ahmedabad- Rajkot- Porbandar – 59.17
Circuit Bardoli- Dandi
2016-17
3. Gujarat Heritage Development of Vadnagar- Modhera 91.12
Circuit
2016-17
4. Madhya Heritage Development of Gwalior – Orchha – Khajuraho – 89.82
Pradesh Circuit Chanderi – Bhimbetka – Mandu
2016-17
5. Puducherry Heritage Development of Franco- Tamil Village, Karaikal, 49.44
Circuit Mahe and Yanam
2017-18
6. Punjab Heritage Development of Anandpur Sahib – Fatehgarh 85.32
Circuit Sahib - Chamkaur Sahib - Ferozpur - Khatkar
2018-19 Kalan – Kalanour - Patiala
7. Rajasthan Heritage Development of Heritage Circuit Development of 70.61
Circuit Rajsamand (Kumbhalgarh Fort) - Jaipur (Facade
2017-18 Illumination in Jaipur and Nahargarh Fort) -
Jhalawar (Gagron Fort) - Chittorgarh (Chittorgarh
Fort) – Jaisalmer (Jaisalmer Fort) - Hanumangarh
(Gogamedi) - Udaipur (Pratap Gaurav Kendra) -
Dholpur (Bagh-I-Nilofor and Purani Chawani) -
Nagaur (Meera Bai Smarak, Merta) - Tonk
(Sunehri Kothi)
8. Telangana Heritage Development of Qutub Shahi Heritage Park- 96.90
Circuit Paigah Tombs- Hayat Bakshi Mosque- Raymond's
2017-18 Tomb9. Uttar Pradesh Heritage Development of Kalinjar Fort (Banda)- Maghar 36.65
Circuit Dham (Sant Kabir Nagar)- Chauri Chaura,
2016-17 Shaheed Sthal (Fatehpur)- Mahuarshaheed Sthal
(Ghosi)- Shaheed Smarak (Meerut)
10. Uttarakhand Heritage Integrated Development of Heritage Circuit in 76.32
Circuit Kumaon Region - Katarmal -Jogeshwar-Baijnath-
2016-17 Devidhura
(ii) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme in the country:
(Amount in ₹Crore)
Sl. State Destination Name of the Experience Sanctioned Sanctioned
No. Year Amount
1 Andhra Bapatala Development of Suryalanka Beach 2024-25 97.52
Pradesh Experience
2 Andhra Araku- Borra Cave Experience at Araku 2023-24 29.88
Pradesh Lambasingi
3 Arunachal Mechuka Mechuka Cultural Haat 2023-24 18.48
Pradesh
4 Arunachal Mechuka Mechuka Adventure Park 2023-24 12.75
Pradesh
5 Arunachal Nacho Unlock Nacho Expedition 2023-24 14.02
Pradesh
6 Assam Kokrajhar Kokrajhar Wetland Experience 2023-24 26.68
7 Assam Jorhat Reimagining Cinnamara Tea Estate 2023- 24 23.88
8 Bihar Bodh Gaya Development of the Buddhist 2024-25 165.44
Meditation & Experience Centre,
Bodh Gaya
9 Chhattisgarh Kawardha Bhoramdeo Corridor Development, 2024-25 145.99
Kawardha
10 DNHDD Daman Daman Convention Centre 2024-25 147.13
11 Goa Porvorim Porvorim Creek Experience 2024-25 24.07
12 Goa Colva Colva Beach Experience 2024-25 19.89
13 Haryana Panchkula Development of Adventure 2024-25 26.68
Tourism Hub at TikkarTaal and
Adventure Park
14 Haryana Panchkula Rejuvenation of Yadavindra 2024-25 65.82
Garden
15 Himachal Chintpurni Development of MaaChintpurni 2025-26 56.26
Pradesh Devi Temple, Una
16 Karnataka Mysuru Ecological Experience Zone 2023-24 18.48
17 Karnataka Mysuru Tonga ride Heritage experience 2023-24 2.72
zone18 Karnataka Hampi Setting up of ‘Traveller nooks’ 2023 -24 25.64
19 Kerala Alappuzha Alappuzha: A Global Water 2024 -25 93.18
Wonderland
20 Kerala Malampuzha Enhancement of Tourist 2024-25 75.87
Experience at Malampuzha Garden
and Leisure Park
21 Kerala Kumarakom Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary 2023-24 13.81
Experience
22 Ladakh Leh JulleyLeh Biodiversity Park 2023-24 23.17
23 Ladakh Kargil Exploring LOC & Hundarman 2023 -24 11.91
village Exp
24 Lakshadweep Bangaram Development of Eco-Retreat, 2024-25 81.18
Adventure, Beach and Mice
Experience at Bangaram
25 Madhya Chitrakoot Spiritual experience at Chitrakoot 2023-24 27.22
Pradesh
26 Madhya Gwalior Phoolbagh Experience Zone 2023-24 16.74
Pradesh
27 Madhya Datia Development of Pitambara Peeth 2025-26 44.24
Pradesh Datia
28 Maharashtra Pune Shivshrusthi Theme Park 2024-25 76.22
29 Meghalaya Sohra Waterfall Trails Experience 2023-24 27.61
30 Meghalaya Sohra Meghalayan Age Cave Experience 2023-24 32.45
31 Mizoram Champhai Eco Resort Experience at 2024-25 38.85
Keilungliah, Zote,
Ngur&Mualbuhvum, Champhai
32 Mizoram Champhai Heritage and Cultural Centre, 2024-25 33.87
Champhai
33 Mizoram Aizawl Construction of Conference Centre 2025-26 99.71
34 Nagaland Chumoukedima Adventure Tourism Experience at 2024-25 32.54
Jacob Village, Chumoukediema
35 Nagaland Chumoukedima Eco-Tourism Exp at 2024-25 7.87
Chumoukedima viewpoint
36 Nagaland Chumoukedima Tribal Cultural Experience at 2023-24 21.57
Midway Retreat
37 Puducherry Karaikal Karaikal beach and waterfront 2023-24 20.30
experience
38 Punjab Amritsar Border Tourism Experience at 2024-25 25.91
Attari
39 Punjab Kapurthala Eco Tourism experience at Kanjli 2023-24 20.06
wetland
40 Rajasthan Sikar Development works at Shri Khatu 2024-25 87.87
Shyam Ji Temple (Sikar)41 Rajasthan Bundi Spiritual Experience, 2023-24 21.65
Keshavraipatan
42 Rajasthan Bikaner dist. Development Works at Shri 2025-26 22.58
Karnimatamandir, Bikaner
43 Rajasthan MalaseriDungar Development of Malaseri Dungri, 2025-26 48.73
i (District Bhilwara District
Bhilwara)
44 Sikkim Gyalshing Eco-Wellness Experience at 2023-24 15.41
Yuksom Cluster
45 Sikkim Gangtok Gangtok Cultural Village 2023-24 22.60
46 Tamil Nadu Mamallapuram Immersive experience at Shore 2023 -24 30.02
Temple
47 Telangana Ananathagiri Eco tourism zone at Ananathgiri 2023-24 38.00
forest
48 Telangana Bhongir Bhongir Fort Experiential Zone 2023-24 56.82
49 Tripura Agartala Tripura Heritage Village &Sangeet 2024-25 48.95
Experience at Agartala (Phase-1
&2)
50 Uttar Naimisaranya Vedic- wellness Experience 2023-24 17.80
Pradesh
51 Uttar Prayagraj Azad Park and Dekho Prayagraj 2023 -24 14.52
Pradesh Trail Experince
52 Uttarakhand Champawat Tea Garden Experience 2023-24 19.89
53 Uttarakhand Pithoragarh Rural Tourism Cluster Experience 2023 -24 17.86
at Gunji
Total 2208.31
(iii) Details of Project sanctioned under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)
Scheme in the country:
(Amount in ₹Crore)
Sl. State/UT Destination/ Name of the Experience Sanctioned Sanctioned
No. Category Year Amount
1 Andhra Nagarjuna Sagar Enriching Buddhist Heritage 2024-25 25.00
Pradesh (Culture & Heritage) and Cultural Experiences at
NagarjunaSagar
2 Andhra Ahobilam Temple Development of Abhobilam as 2024-25 24.99
Pradesh (Spiritual Tourism) a Spiritual Odyssey
3 Arunachal Kibitho Kibhito Frontier Tourism - 2024-25 4.96
Pradesh (Vibrant Village Gateway to Serenity
Programme)
4 Arunachal Bichom Dam Site Bichom Dam Adventure & 2024-25 9.90
Pradesh (Ecotourism and Eco-Tourism Project
Amrit Dharohar
Sites)
5 Assam Sivasagar Panidhing Bird Sanctuary 2024-25 9.99(Ecotourism and
Amrit Dharohar
Sites)
6 Bihar Saran Dist. (Sonepur Development of Sonepur Fair 2024-25 24.29
Fair) (Culture & Site
Heritage)
7 Chhattisgarh Mayali Bagicha Development of Mayali 2024-25 9.97
(Ecotourism and Bagicha as Eco Tourism
AmritDharohar Sites) Destination
8 Goa Mayem Village Beautification and 2024-25 9.81
(Ecotourism and Development of Harvalem
Amrit Dharohar Waterfall
Sites)
9 Gujarat Vadnagar Transformation of 2024-25 17.29
(Culture & Heritage) Sharmishtha Lake: Light &
Culture
10 Gujarat Thol Village THOL: Transformative 2024-25 9.96
(Ecotourism and Tourism, Harmonious
Amrit Dharohar Sustainability, Optimized
Sites) Skilling, Leading Technology
11 Gujarat Porbandar The Sacred Ocean Retreat at 2024-25 24.66
(Spiritual Tourism) Harsiddhi Shore
12 Himachal Kaza Kaza under Culture & 2024-25 24.82
Pradesh (Culture & Heritage) Heritage
13 Himachal Rakchham Tourism Infrastructure 2024-25 4.96
Pradesh (Vibrant Village Development at Rakcham -
Programme) Vibrant Village
14 Jharkhand Ramrekha Dham Tourism Infrastructure 2024-25 18.87
(Spiritual Tourism) Development at Ramrekha
Dham
15 Karnataka Bidar Development of Bidar as a 2025-26 25.00
(Culture & Heritage) Heritage Tourism Destination
16 Kerala Varkala Varkala-Dakshin Kashi 2024-25 25.00
(Culture & Heritage)
17 Kerala Thalassery Thalassery: The Spritiual 2024-25 25.00
(Spiritual Tourism) Nexus
18 Ladakh Mushkoo Village Advancing Mushkoo as a 2024-25 9.78
(Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Hub: (Rev Dec
Amrit Dharohar Integrating Wildlife Sightings 2025)
Sites) and Community Progress
19 Madhya Orchha Orchha A Medieval Splendour 2024-25 25.00
Pradesh (Spiritual Tourism) 2.0
20 Madhya Mandu Mandu-A Medieval Wonder 2025-26 24.88
Pradesh (Culture & Heritage)
21 Maharashtra Ahmednagar Development of Ahmednagar 2024-25 25.00
(Culture & Heritage) Fort22 Manipur Langthabal Konug, Development of Ancient 2024-25 24.69
Imphal Capital of Manipur,
(Culture & Heritage) Langthabal Konug
23 Meghalaya Nartiang Village Nartiang Spiritual & Cultural 2024-25 24.87
(Spiritual Tourism) Centre
24 Meghalaya Mawphlang Village Mawphlang Cultural & 2024-25 24.87
(Culture & Heritage) Heritage Centre
25 Nagaland Impur Village Soulful Trails: The Impur 2024-25 24.94
(Spiritual Tourism) Heritage Experience
26 Nagaland Doyang Reservoir Wings Over Doyang: An Eco- 2024-25 9.99
(Ecotourism and Tourism Haven
Amrit Dharohar
Sites)
27 Puducherry White Town Development of White Town 2024-25 22.19
(Culture & Heritage)
28 Punjab Rupnagar (Anandpur Heritage Street -A Symbol of 2024-25 24.90
Sahib) Peace and Harmony at Sri
(Spiritual Tourism) Anandpur Sahib
29 Punjab Ferozpur Cultural and Heritage Strech at 2024-25 25.00
(Hussainiwala Hussainiwala Border
Border)
(Culture & Heritage)
30 Sikkim Kabi Kabi Chronicles: A journey 2024-25 24.96
(Spiritual Tourism) through Unity and Heritage
31 Sikkim Gnathang Village Echoes of Valor: The 2024-25 5.00
(Vibrant Village Gnathang Valley Experience
Programme)
32 Tamil Nadu Rameswaram Island Iconic transformation of 2024-25 20.01
(Spiritual Tourism) Rameswaram
33 Telangana Nalgonda Development of digital 2024-25 24.85
(Culture & Heritage) experience centre at
Bhuddhavanam
34 Telangana Kamareddy (Kalki Development of Eco-Tourism 2024-25 9.98
Cheruvu) Project at Nizam Sagar
(Ecotourism and
AmritDharohar Sites)
35 Uttar Pradesh Mahoba Development of Cultural 2024-25 24.98
(Culture & Heritage) Landscape at Mahoba
36 Uttarakhand Jadung Development of Jadung 2024-25 4.99
(Vibrant Village Festive Ground, Jadung
Programme)
37 Uttarakhand Kainchidham Development of Kainchi 2024-25 17.60
( Spiritual Tourism) Dham Campus
38 Uttarakhand Mana Village Mana Haat 2024-25 4.99
(Vibrant Village
Programme)
Total 697.94
******