**Subject: Potential Inclusion of Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple under Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Protection**
**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Ministry of Culture's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 159, answered on July 21, 2025, regarding the potential inclusion of the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple (located in the Shirur Lok Sabha Constituency, Maharashtra) under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, stated that there is currently no proposal under consideration to bring the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple under ASI protection.
As of July 21, 2025, two Jyotirlinga temples are declared as being of national importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and are currently under ASI protection:
1. Ghrishneshwar Temple, District Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra.
2. Tryambakeshwar Temple, District Nasik, Maharashtra.
Finally, the Minister clarified that there is no current proposal to bring all 12 Jyotirlinga temples under ASI protection for holistic preservation.
Key Entities Referenced
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple: A Hindu temple located in Maharashtra, the subject of a question regarding its potential inclusion under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): An Indian government agency responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in the country.
Dr. Amol Ramsing Kolhe: Member of Parliament who raised the question in Lok Sabha regarding the inclusion of Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple under ASI protection.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: The Minister of Culture and Tourism who answered the question in Lok Sabha.
Ghrishneshwar Temple, District Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra: One of the two Jyotirlinga temples currently under ASI protection, located in Maharashtra.
Tryambakeshwar Temple, District Nasik, Maharashtra: One of the two Jyotirlinga temples currently under ASI protection, located in Maharashtra.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question regarding the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple was raised.
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958: The law under which Ghrishneshwar Temple and Tryambakeshwar Temple are protected
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.159
ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
INCLUSION OF THE BHIMASHANKAR JYOTRILINGA TEMPLE UNDER ASI
159. DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is considering for bringing the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
Temple, located in Shirur Lok Sabha Constituency in Maharashtra under the
protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI);
(b) if so, the manner in which this inclusion would facilitate better development,
preservation and promotion of the temple along with the expected benefits to the
local community;
(c) the details of the steps proposed to ensure adequate central funding for
maintenance, conservation and infrastructure development of the temple;
(d) the details of the process along with timeline for inclusion of the temple under ASI
protection and its expected impact on tourism and the local economy;
(e) the details of the number of Jyotirlinga temples currently under ASI protection;
and
(f) whether the Government has a proposal to bring all 12 Jyotirlinga temples under
ASI for their holistic preservation and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a)to(d) At present there is no such proposal under consideration.
(e) There are two Jyotirlinga Temples declared as of national importance under the
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 in the
country, namely:
1. 1. Ghrishneshwar Temple, District Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra.
2.Tryambakeshwar Temple, District Nasik, Maharashtra.
(f) At present there is no such proposal under consideration.
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