In recent developments, the President of India sanctioned the beginning of two projects aimed at nurturing and maintaining religious facilities in Telangana. The projects, classified under the PRASHAD scheme instituted by India’s Ministry of Tourism, will target the Bhadrachalam group of temples and infrastructure at the Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple.
The Bhadrachalam Group of Temples
The Bhadrachalam temple, an integral part of the Bhadrachalam group of temples, has a history dating back over 350 years. It is intimately connected to the Hindu epic Ramayana, with widely held beliefs that Lord Rama, along with his wife, Goddess Sita, and brother Lakshmana spent some time during their 14-year exile near this temple. Specifically, they are said to have resided at Parnasala village, which is part of the Dandakaranya forest close to Bhadrachalam. Furthermore, the strategic location on the left bank of Godavari River adds to the religious significance of these temples.
Ramappa Temple: A UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Ramappa Temple serves as another critical project under the PRASHAD Scheme. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this temple was constructed in 1213 AD by the Kakatiya rulers. Known for its architectural brilliance, the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva attracts more than one million visitors each year, placing it high on the list of prominent tourist locations.
About PRASHAD Scheme
The ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive’ (PRASHAD) was launched by India’s Ministry of Tourism in the fiscal year 2014-15. Initially termed PRASAD, the scheme’s name underwent a change in October 2017, reflecting its focus on spiritual heritage augmentation. With the discontinuation of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s HRIDAY scheme, the PRASHAD Scheme now incorporates development of Heritage destinations under its remit. Initiated with the goal of the holistic development of identified pilgrimage sites, it includes several religious cities/sites, such as Amaravati and Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh, Kamakhya in Assam, Parasuram Kund in Arunachal Pradesh, and Patna and Gaya in Bihar, among others.
Implementing PRASHAD
The agencies tasked with implementing these projects are chosen by the respective State or Union Territory government. The Central Government funds 100% of the costs for public funding components of the project under the PRASHAD scheme. Moreover, the scheme aims to tap into Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) voluntary funding and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to ensure sustainable project implementation.
