**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Ministry of Culture's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3630, concerning the preservation of a 1000-year-old Shiva temple located on Jinshi Hill within the Dhanbad Lok Sabha Constituency.
The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, stated that there is no current proposal under consideration to declare the temple a protected heritage site. The responsibility for the temple's historical and architectural preservation currently rests with the State Government, as it does not qualify as a monument of National Importance.
Furthermore, there is no existing proposal to include the temple under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) scheme. While the Ministry continuously receives proposals from State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for tourism projects, including potential provisions for pathways, seating, toilets, water arrangements, and accessibility for disabled devotees, any financial assistance is contingent upon adherence to prescribed guidelines, fulfillment of stipulated conditions, and the availability of funds. Therefore, no specific support is currently being provided under the PRASAD scheme for the temple's preservation and promotion, and no timeline is provided for potential future funding.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: The Indian government ministry responsible for culture.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
SHRI DULU MAHATO: Member of Parliament who raised the question regarding the Shiva temple.
Shiva Temple: The 1000-year-old temple in question, located on Jinshi Hill.
Dhanbad Lok Sabha Constituency: The parliamentary constituency where the Shiva temple is located.
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) scheme: A government scheme for developing pilgrimage destinations.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: The Minister of Culture and Tourism who answered the question in the Lok Sabha.
State Governments Union Territories Administration: Refers to the governing bodies of individual states and union territories within India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTIONNO.3630
ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025
PRESERVATION OF SHIVA TEMPLE IN DHANBAD
†3630. SHRI DULU MAHATO:
Will the Minister of CULTUREbe pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is considering to declare the 1000-year-old Shiva temple situated
on Jinshi Hill under DhanbadLok Sabha Constituency as a protected heritage;
(b) whether the Government is taking any steps for the historical and architectural preservation
of this temple, so that it remains safe for future generations and its cultural importance
remains intact;
(c) whether this temple has been proposed for development under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation
and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) scheme, if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) whether the pathways, seating areas, toilets, water arrangements and special facilities for
the disabled to be provided to enhance the experience of devotees in the temple premises;
(e) whether the Government is providing support under PRASAD scheme for the preservation
and promotion of this temple; and
(f) if so, the time by which the relevant amount be available for its implementation?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a)& At present; there is no such proposal underconsideration. Further, monuments otherthan
(b) those of National Importance fall underthe jurisdiction of the respective StateGovernments/
Union TerritoriesAdministration. Therefore, the responsibilityfor the historical and
architecturalpreservation of the temple rests with theState Government.
(c)& At present, no such proposal is under consideration.
(d)
(e)& Receiving proposals from the State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations for
(f) 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 fulfillment of thestipulated conditions and availability of funds..
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