Unstarred Question No. 121, answered on 01.12.2025 in Lok Sabha, addresses the preservation and maintenance of ancient religious sites in Shirdi. Shri Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure inquired about pilgrimage sites Rameshwar Devasthan Shri kshetra Rameshwar, ashram of ascetic Dhaumya Rishi in Dhanderphal, Sangamner taluka of Shirdi Lok Sabha Constituency in Maharashtra. The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, stated that these sites are neither protected monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India nor under the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra. While the Garbha-griha and ceiling remain, the rest were rebuilt. No action plan has been formulated for preservation, and therefore, the question of fund allocation does not arise.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: The primary government ministry responsible for the subject matter of the parliamentary question.
Archaeological Survey of India: Referenced as the agency responsible for protecting ancient monuments.
Maharashtra: The state where the religious sites mentioned are located.
Shirdi Lok Sabha Constituency: Parliamentary constituency where the pilgrimage sites are located.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.121
ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025
PRESERVATION AND MAINTENANCE OF ANCIENT RELIGIOUS SITES IN
SHIRDI
†121. SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that pilgrimage sites Rameshwar Devasthan Shri kshetra Rameshwar,
ashram of ascetic Dhaumya Rishi in Dhanderphal, Sangamner taluka of Shirdi Lok Sabha
Constituency in Maharashtra are very ancient and historical place and attract tourists in
large numbers;
(b) whether the Government has formulated/proposed to formulate any action plan for the
preservation and maintenance of these very ancient religious monuments and other
historical sites;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the details of the fund allocated/proposed to be allocated for this purpose so far?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) The pilgrimage sites Rameshwar Devasthan Shri kshetra Rameshwar, ashram of ascetic
Dhaumya Rishi in Dhanderphal, Sangamner taluka of Shirdi Lok Sabha Constituency in
Maharashtra are neither protected monuments under Archeological Survey of India nor
under Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra. Further, it
has remains of the ancient Garbha-griha and ceiling and rest were rebuilt into a modern
structure.
(b)& No action plan has been formulated/ proposed for preservation and maintenance of the said
(c) structures.
(d) Question does not arise.
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