Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Tourism addressed a question in Lok Sabha regarding the promotion of temples in Bihar, specifically Champa Nagar, Budha Nath, and Bateshwar Sthan Temples, as national tourism spots. The Ministry clarified that the development and promotion of tourist destinations are primarily the responsibility of the State Government/Union Territory Administration. While no specific proposal for these temples is under consideration, the Ministry has sanctioned various tourism development projects in Bihar.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Government's Role:**
* The development and promotion of tourist destinations is undertaken by the respective State Government/Union Territory Administration.
* The Ministry of Tourism complements these efforts through various schemes and initiatives.
* **Specific Temples in Bhagalpur:**
* No proposal is currently under consideration for developing tourism infrastructure around Champa Nagar, Budha Nath, and Bateshwar Sthan Temples in Bhagalpur.
* **Tourism Projects in Bihar (Annexure):**
* **PRASHAD Scheme:**
* Development at Patna Sahib (₹29.62 Crore).
* Development of basic facilities at Vishnupad temple, Gaya (₹3.63 Crore).
* Development of Ambika Bhawani Temple, Saran (₹13.29 Crore).
* **Swadesh Darshan Scheme:**
* Tirthankar Circuit (Vaishali-Arrah-Masad-Patna-Rajgir-Pawapuri-Champapuri) (₹33.96 Crore in 2016-17).
* Spiritual Circuit (Kanwaria Route: Sultanganj-Dharmashala-Deoghar) (₹44.76 Crore in 2016-17).
* Buddhist Circuit (Construction of Convention Centre at Bodhgaya) (₹95.18 Crore in 2016-17).
* Rural Circuit (Bhitiharwa-Chandrahia-Turkaulia) (₹44.27 Crore in 2017-18).
* Spiritual Circuit (Mandar Hill, Ang Pradesh) (₹44.55 Crore in 2017-18).
* **Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme:**
* Development of the Buddhist Meditation Experience Centre, Bodh Gaya (₹165.44 Crore).
* **Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD):**
* Development of Tourist Facilities at Sonepur Mela Ground, Saran (₹24.28 Crore).
* **Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI):**
* Development of Matsyagandha Lake in Saharsa (₹97.61 Crore).
* Karamchat Eco-Tourism and Adventure Hub in Karamchat (₹49.51 Crore).
* **Continuous Process:**
* Receiving proposals from State Governments/UT Administrations for financial assistance is ongoing.
* Proposals are assessed based on guidelines, and financial assistance is subject to fulfilling conditions and fund availability.
Impact Analysis:
* State Government/UT Administration of Bihar
* Impact: Responsible for initiating and executing tourism development and promotion projects within the state.
* Action Required: To continue submitting proposals for tourism projects, adhering to the prescribed guidelines to secure potential financial assistance from the Ministry of Tourism.
* Ministry of Tourism
* Impact: Provides complementary support to State Governments/UTs through various schemes and initiatives.
* Action Required: To continue reviewing proposals, allocating funds based on project merit and fund availability, and monitoring the progress of sanctioned projects.
* Local Economy and Residents of Bihar
* Impact: Beneficiaries of enhanced tourism infrastructure and increased visitor footfall, leading to potential economic growth and employment opportunities.
* Action Required: To support and engage with tourism development initiatives to maximize the positive impacts on the local community.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: A government ministry responsible for the development and promotion of tourism in India.
Bihar: A state in eastern India, mentioned as the location of the tourist destinations and projects being discussed.
Bhagalpur district, Bihar: A district in Bihar, specifically mentioned in relation to potential national tourism spots.
SHRI AJAY KUMAR MANDAL: Member of Parliament who raised the question regarding the promotion of temples as tourist destinations in Bihar.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: The Minister of Tourism who provided the answer to the question.
PRASHAD Scheme: A scheme focused on pilgrimage rejuvenation and spiritual augmentation drive, under which projects are sanctioned in Bihar.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme: A scheme focused on integrated development of theme based tourist circuits, under which projects are sanctioned in Bihar.
Bodh Gaya: A town in Bihar, significant for being the place where Gautama Buddha is said to have obtained Enlightenment. Several tourism projects are sanctioned here.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3507
ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025
PROMOTION OF TEMPLES AS TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN BIHAR
3507. SHRI AJAY KUMAR MANDAL:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is considering for declaring major tourist
destinations in Bihar's Bhagalpur district, including Champa Nagar,
Budha Nath and Bateshwar Sthan Temples, as national tourism spots;
(b) whether any steps have been taken or proposals submitted by the
Government to promote these temples under national tourism schemes,
considering their historical, cultural and religious significance, if so, the
details thereof; and
(c) whether the Government plans to allocate special funds or launch
development projects to enhance infrastructure, connectivity and
tourism facilities at Champa Nagar, Budha Nath and Bateshwar Sthan
Temples as well as Bihar and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (c): Development and promotion of tourist destinations is undertaken
by the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration. The
Ministry complements the efforts of States/UTs by developing and promoting
various tourism products of the country, through various schemes and
initiatives.
No proposal is under the consideration of the Ministry of Tourism for
development of tourism infrastructure around Champa Nagar, Budha Nath and
Bateshwar Sthan Temples, Bhagalpur. However, the Ministry of Tourism has
sanctioned various tourism development projects in Bihar, which are given in
the Annexure.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 fulfillment
of the stipulated conditions and availability of funds.
*****ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.3507 ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025 REGARDING PROMOTION OF
TEMPLES AS TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN BIHAR RAISED BY SHRI AJAY
KUMAR MANDAL
List of Projects under PRASHAD Scheme in Bihar
Sr. Name of the Project Sanctioned Cost
No. (Rs. in Crore)
1 Development at Patna Sahib 29.62
2 Development of basic facilities at Vishnupad temple, 3.63
Gaya, Bihar
3 Development of Ambika Bhawani Temple, Saran 13.29
List of Projects under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in Bihar
Sr. Circuit Name/ Name of the Project Amount
No. Sanction Year Sanctioned
(Rs. in Crore)
1 Tirthankar Development of Vaishali- Arrah- Masad- 33.96
Circuit Patna- Rajgir- Pawapuri- Champapuri
2016-17
2 Spiritual Development of Kanwaria Route: 44.76
Circuit Sultanganj – Dharmshala- Deoghar
2016-17
3 Buddhist Development of Buddhist circuit- 95.18
Circuit Construction of Convention Centre at
2016-17 Bodhgaya
4 Rural Circuit Development of Bhitiharwa- Chandrahia- 44.27
2017-18 Turkaulia
5 Spiritual Development of Mandar Hill & Ang Pradesh 44.55
Circuit
2017-18List of Projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme in Bihar
Sr. Destination Name of the Experience Sanctioned Cost
No. (Rs. in Crore)
1 Bodh Gaya Development of the Buddhist Meditation 165.44
& Experience Centre, Bodh Gaya
List of Projects sanctioned under Challenge Based Destination Development
(CBDD), in Bihar
Sr. Sanctioned Cost
Name of the Project
No. (Rs. in Crore)
Development of Tourist Facilities at Sonepur Mela
1 24.28
Ground, Saran
List of Projects sanctioned under Special Assistance to States for Capital
Investment (SASCI Scheme) in Bihar
Sr. Name of the Project Sanctioned Cost
No. (Rs. in Crore)
1 Development of Matsyagandha Lake in Saharsa 97.61
2 Karamchat Eco-Tourism and Adventure Hub in 49.51
Karamchat
*******