**Summary:**
This document summarizes the status of pilgrimage site development in Bihar under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme, as of August 4, 2025. The Ministry of Tourism provides financial assistance to State Governments and Union Territory Administrations for tourism-related infrastructure development at identified religious and heritage sites.
Specifically, the Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned three projects in Bihar under the PRASHAD scheme. These include:
1. **Development at Patna Sahib:** Sanctioned in 2015-16 with a total sanctioned amount of Rs. 29.62 crore. The entire amount has been released, and the project has achieved 100% physical and financial progress.
2. **Development of basic facilities at Vishnupad Temple, Gaya:** Sanctioned in 2014-15 with a total sanctioned amount of Rs. 3.63 crore. The entire amount has been released, and the project has achieved 100% physical and financial progress.
3. **Development of Ambika Bhawani Temple, Saran:** Sanctioned in 2024-25 with a total sanctioned amount of Rs. 13.29 crore. No amount has been released yet, and the project is at 0% physical and financial progress.
The Ministry of Tourism is open to receiving proposals from the State Government of Bihar for further development of pilgrimage sites. These proposals are evaluated based on established guidelines, availability of funds and fulfillment of stipulated conditions.
Key Entities Referenced
PRASHAD Scheme: Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive PRASHAD Scheme, a program by the Ministry of Tourism to develop tourism-related infrastructure at religious and heritage sites.
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.
Bihar: A state in eastern India, a focus of the PRASHAD Scheme projects mentioned in the document.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: The Minister of Tourism answering the questions in the Lok Sabha.
Patna Sahib: A pilgrimage site in Bihar where development was sanctioned under the PRASHAD scheme.
Vishnupad Temple, Gaya, Bihar: A pilgrimage site in Gaya, Bihar where development of basic facilities was sanctioned under the PRASHAD scheme.
Ambika Bhawani Temple, Saran: A pilgrimage site in Saran, Bihar where development was sanctioned under the PRASHAD scheme.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question regarding pilgrimage sites was raised.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.+2516
ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025
PILGRIMAGE SITES UNDER PRASHAD SCHEME IN BIHAR
+2516. SHRI RAMPRIT MANDAL:
SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:
SHRI RAJESH RANJAN:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the names of pilgrimage sites selected and approved for
development under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual,
Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme in Bihar during the
last five year and the current year;
(b) the current status of all the said projects;
(c) whether the State Government of Bihar has sent any proposal to the
Union Government for development of any pilgrimage site since the
year 2017-18; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (d): The Ministry of Tourism under the “Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and
Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive” (PRASHAD) Scheme provides
financial assistance to the State Governments and Union Territory
Administrations for development of tourism related infrastructure at
identified religious and heritage sites across the country, including the
State of Bihar.
Under the scheme, the Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned 3 projects in the
state of Bihar the details of which is annexed.
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 PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.+2516 ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025 REGARDING PILGRIMAGE
SITES UNDER PRASHAD SCHEME IN BIHAR RASIED BY SHRI RAMPRIT
MANDAL, SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR AND SHRI RAJESH RANJAN.
List of Project sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme in the State of Bihar
(Rs. In Crore)
S. Project Name Sanction Sanction Amount Physical Financial
No. Year Amount Released Progress Progress
1. Development at 2015-16 29.62 29.62 100% 100%
Patna Sahib
2. Development of 2014-15 3.63 3.63 100% 100%
basic facilities
at Vishnupad
Temple, Gaya,
Bihar
3. Development of 2024-25 13.29 0 0% 0%
Ambika
Bhawani
Temple, Saran
*******