Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Tourism's PRASHAD scheme provides financial assistance to State Governments and Union Territory Administrations for tourism infrastructure development at identified religious and heritage sites. Selection is based on factors like footfall, cultural significance, and equitable nationwide representation, in consultation with State Governments/UTs. As of August 4, 2025, there are no projects sanctioned in Dungarpur and Banswada districts under this scheme, and there are no proposals under consideration to include specific sites, including Beneshwar Dham and Mangarh Dham.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Purpose of PRASHAD Scheme:**
* Provides financial assistance for tourism infrastructure development at religious and heritage sites.
* **Selection Criteria for Pilgrimage Sites:**
* Number of footfalls.
* Cultural and historical heritage significance.
* Equitable nationwide development.
* Consultation with State Governments/UTs.
* **Status of Projects in Dungarpur and Banswada Districts:**
* No projects have been sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme.
* **Inclusion of Specific Sites:**
* No proposal to include Beneshwar Dham, Mangarh Dham, and other tribal congregation sites is under consideration.
* **Ongoing Proposal Process:**
* The Ministry continuously receives proposals for financial assistance.
* Proposals are examined based on guidelines, stipulated conditions, and fund availability.
* **Annexure Details**
* 54 projects are listed
* Total sanctioned amount: Rs 1726.74 Crores
* Total amount released: Rs 1168.65 Crores
* Total amount utilized: Rs 1064.06 Crores
Impact Analysis
* **State Governments and Union Territory Administrations:**
* *Impact:* Opportunity to receive funding for tourism infrastructure projects at religious and heritage sites based on meeting specific criteria.
* *Action Required:* Submit proposals for projects, ensuring they align with scheme guidelines and address the stipulated conditions.
* **Pilgrimage and Heritage Sites:**
* *Impact:* Potential for enhanced infrastructure and increased tourism if selected under the PRASHAD scheme.
* *Action Required:* Meet selection criteria concerning footfalls, cultural significance, and other factors.
* **Citizens and Tourists:**
* *Impact:* Improved facilities and enhanced experience at pilgrimage and heritage sites that receive funding under the scheme.
* *Action Required:* Utilize and benefit from the upgraded infrastructure at selected sites.
Key Entities Referenced
PRASHAD Scheme: Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme, a Ministry of Tourism initiative to develop tourism infrastructure at religious and heritage sites.
SHRI RAJKUMAR ROAT: Member of Lok Sabha who raised the unstarred question No.2471 regarding inclusion of pilgrimage sites in PRASHAD Scheme.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: Minister of Tourism who answered the Lok Sabha unstarred question No.2471 regarding inclusion of pilgrimage sites in PRASHAD Scheme.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the unstarred question was raised.
Ministry of Tourism: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of the rules, regulations and policies relating to the development and promotion of tourism in India.
Dungarpur district, Rajasthan: A district in Rajasthan, India, mentioned in the context of potential inclusion of sites under the PRASHAD Scheme.
Banswada district, Rajasthan: A district in Rajasthan, India, mentioned in the context of potential inclusion of sites under the PRASHAD Scheme. It falls under Banswada Lok Sabha Constituency.
Beneshwar Dham, Rajasthan: A religious site in Rajasthan, India, that was proposed for inclusion under the PRASHAD Scheme but was not under consideration.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.+2471
ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025
INCLUSION OF PILGRIMAGE SITES IN PRASHAD SCHEME
†2471. SHRI RAJKUMAR ROAT:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the number of pilgrim centres and the amount of the funds
utilised there under Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage
Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme in the country;
(b) the details of the norms for selecting any pilgrim centre/religious spot
under the scheme, State-wise;
(c) the details of the work done and funds utilised in Dungarpur and
Banswada districts in Banswada Lok Sabha Constituency under
PRASHAD Scheme, work and block-wise;
(d) whether the Government proposes to include Beneshwar Dham,
Mangarh Dham, Ghotiya Amba, Govind Guru birthplace Basia Dham,
Bhed Matai, Mandaviya Hanuman and Gotmeshwar Baba including
congregations of tribal saints under the scheme; and
(e) if so, the timeline therefor and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a): 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 identified religious and heritage
sites across the country, the detail of which is given in the Annexure.
(b): The selection of pilgrimage destinations/heritage sites under PRASHAD
Scheme is based on various parameters, which, inter-alia, include the number
of footfalls, cultural, historical & heritage significance of the locations,
equitable representation to ensure nationwide development, and other
factors. This process is undertaken in consultation with State Governments
(SGs)/UT Administrations (UTs).(c): The Ministry of Tourism has not sanctioned any project in Dungarpur
and Banswada districts in Banswada Lok Sabha Constituency under
PRASHAD Scheme.
(d) and (e): No proposal is under the consideration of the Ministry of
Tourism to include Beneshwar Dham, Mangarh Dham, Ghotiya Amba, Govind
Guru birthplace Basia Dham, Bhed Matai, Mandaviya Hanuman and
Gotmeshwar Baba including congregations of tribal saints under the
PRASHAD Scheme.
Receiving proposals from the State Governments/UT Administrations 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 fulfilment of
the stipulated conditions and availability of funds.
*****ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION
NO.†2471 ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025 REGARDING INCLUSION OF
PILGRIMAGE SITES IN PRASHAD SCHEME RAISED BY SHRI RAJKUMAR
ROAT
List of projects under PRASHAD Scheme:
Sanction Amount Amount
S. Sanction Amount Released Utilized
State Project Name
No. Year (Rs. (Rs. (Rs.
Crores) Crores) Crores)
1 Andhra Development 2015-16 27.77 27.77 27.77
Pradesh of Amaravati
Town, Guntur
District as a
Tourist
Destination
2 Andhra Development 2017-18 43.08 43.08 43.08
Pradesh of Srisailam
Temple
3 Andhra Sri Varaha 2022-23 54.04 27.37 13.68
Pradesh Lakshmi
Narsimha
Swami Vari
Devasthanam
at
Simhachalam
in
Vishakhapatn
am Temple
4 Andhra Development 2024-25 25.33 - -
Pradesh of Pilgrimage
Tourism
Infrastructure
in Annavaram
Temple Town
5 Arunachal Development 2020-21 37.88 31.02 21.95
Pradesh of Parshuram
Kund, Lohit
Distt.6 Assam Development 2015-16 29.80 29.80 29.80
of Kamakhya
Temple and
Pilgrimage
Destination in
and around
Guwahati
7 Bihar Development 2015-16 29.62 29.62 29.62
at Patna
Sahib
8 Bihar Development 2014-15 3.63 3.63 3.63
of basic
facilities at
Vishnupad
temple, Gaya,
Bihar
9 Bihar Development 2024-25 13.29 - -
of Ambika
Bhawani
Temple, Saran
10 Chhattisgarh Development 2020-21 48.44 40.19 31.94
of Maa
Bamleshwari
Devi Temple,
Dongargarh,
Rajnandgaon
District,
Chhattisgarh
11 Goa Development 2024-25 16.46 4.68 0
of Bom Jesus
Basilica
12 Gujarat Development 2016-17 10.46 10.46 10.46
of Dwarka
13 Gujarat Development 2016-17 45.36 45.36 45.36
of Pilgrimage
Amenities at
Somnath
14 Gujarat Development 2018-19 47.12 47.12 47.12
of Promenade
at Somnath
15 Gujarat Development 2022-23 50.00 30.00 19.16
of Pilgrimage
Facilities atAmbaji
Temple,
Banaskantha,
Gujarat
16 Haryana Development 2019-20 48.53 34.68 34.68
of Mata
Mansa Devi
Temple and
Nada Saheb
Gurudwara in
Panchkula
District
17 Jammu & Development 2016-17 40.46 34.30 34.30
Kashmir at Hazratbal
Shrine,
Srinagar
18 Jharkhand Development 2018-19 36.79 34.95 31.23
of Baba
Baidyanath
Dham,
Deoghar
19 Karnataka Development 2023-24 45.38 - -
of Pilgrimage
Amenities at
Sri
Chamundesh
wari Devi
Temple,
Mysuru
20 Karnataka Development 2024-25 18.37 - -
of Renuka
Yallama Devi
temple
21 Karnataka Development 2024-25 22.25 - -
of Basic
Amenities at
Papnash
Temple, Bidar
dist.
22 Kerala Development 2016-17 45.19 45.19 45.18
at Guruvayur
Temple23 Madhya Development 2020-21 49.99 42.47 34.63
Pradesh of
Amarkantak
24 Madhya Development 2017-18 43.93 43.93 43.93
Pradesh of
Omkareshwar
25 Maharashtra Development 2017-18 45.41 38.44 38.43
of
Trimbakeshw
ar, Nashik
26 Meghalaya Development 2020-21 29.29 27.78 27.78
of Pilgrimage
Facilitation in
Meghalaya
27 Mizoram Development 2022-23 44.89 26.37 13.18
of
Infrastructure
for Pilgrimage
and Heritage
Tourism in the
State of
Mizoram
28 Mizoram Development 2024-25 5.47 - -
of Basic
Amenities
under
PRASHAD
scheme in
Vangchhia,
Champhai
District
29 Nagaland Development 2018-19 25.20 23.56 23.56
of Pilgrimage
Infrastructure
in Nagaland
30 Nagaland Development 2022-23 18.18 15.45 15.45
of Pilgrimage
Tourism
Infrastructure
at Zunheboto31 Odisha Infrastructure 2014-15 50.00 10.00 -
Development
at Puri, Shree
Jagannath
Dham -
Ramachandi -
Prachi River
front at
Demuli under
Mega Circuit
32 Puducherry Development 2024-25 25.94 - -
of Pilgrim
Facilities &
Tourist
attractions for
Sri
Dharbaranyes
wara Temple
33 Punjab Development 2015-16 6.40 6.40 6.40
of Karuna
Sagar Valmiki
Sthal at
Amritsar
34 Punjab Development 2021-22 30.52 21.93 21.93
of Chamkaur
Sahib at
Rupar, Punjab
35 Rajasthan Integrated 2015-16 32.64 26.11 26.11
Development
of
Pushkar/Ajmer
36 Sikkim Development 2020-21 33.32 28.31 28.31
of Pilgrimage
Facilitation at
Four Patron
Saints,
Yuksom
37 Tamil Nadu Development 2016-17 13.99 13.99 13.99
of
Kanchipuram
38 Tamil Nadu Development 2016-17 4.86 4.86 4.86
of Velankanni
39 Tamil Nadu Development 2024-25 40.94 - -of 8
Navagraha
Temples
40 Telangana Development 2020-21 38.90 33.07 33.07
of Jogulamba
Devi Temple,
Alampur
41 Telangana Development 2022-23 62.00 32.73 12.65
of Pilgrimage
and Heritage
Tourism
Infrastructure
at
Rudreshwara
(Ramappa)
Temple,
Mulugu
42 Telangana Development 2022-23 41.38 8.43 7.85
of Pilgrimage
Infrastructure
at
Bhadrachalam
,
BhadradriKoth
agudem
District
43 Telangana Development 2024-25 4.22 - -
of Basic
Amenities at
goddess
Renuka
Yellama
Devasthanam
44 Tripura Development 2020-21 34.43 28.01 25.63
of Tripura
Sundari
Temple,
Udaipur
45 Uttar Development 2015-16 18.73 18.73 18.73
Pradesh of Varanasi –
Phase –I46 Uttar Development 2014-15 10.98 10.98 10.98
Pradesh of Mathura-
Vrindavan as
Mega Tourist
Circuit (Ph-II)
47 Uttar River Cruise 2017-18 9.02 9.02 9.02
Pradesh Tourism in
Ganga,
Varanasi
48 Uttar Construction 2014-15 9.36 9.36 9.36
Pradesh of Tourist
Facilitation
Centre at
Vrindavan
49 Uttar Development 2017-18 44.60 31.77 31.77
Pradesh of Varanasi –
Phase –II
50 Uttar Development 2018-19 37.59 30.97 30.73
Pradesh of
Infrastructure
facilities at
Govardhan
51 Uttarakhand Integrated 2015-16 34.77 34.77 34.77
Development
of Kedarnath
52 Uttarakhand Development 2018-19 56.15 38.38 38.37
of
Infrastructure
for Pilgrimage
Facilitation in
Badrinath Ji
Dham
53 Uttarakhand Augmentation 2021-22 54.36 10.22 10.22
of Pilgrimage
Infrastructure
Facilities and
Gangotri and
Yamunotri
Dham
54 West Bengal Development 2016-17 30.03 23.39 23.39
of Belur Math
1726.74 1168.65 1064.06
*****