What this scheme offers
PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive), launched in January 2015, funds the physical and civic infrastructure that makes a pilgrimage site function well at scale: queue-management halls (mandapams) to organise crowds safely, public conveniences, ghat and kalyani (temple tank) upgrades, drinking water points, better lighting, parking, wayfinding signage, sewage treatment plants, pilgrim arrival/reception centres, and technology systems like CCTV and public-address systems for crowd safety. State Governments propose sites for consideration; the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) evaluates and the Ministry sanctions funding based on availability. The scheme runs alongside the broader Swadesh Darshan family but focuses specifically on pilgrimage and spiritual-heritage destinations.
How this benefits pilgrims and local communities
- Pilgrims experience shorter, safer queues, cleaner facilities, and easier navigation at developed sites.
- Local temple-town economies benefit from increased footfall and improved visitor infrastructure supporting local businesses.
- Better sanitation and water infrastructure at pilgrimage sites also serves the resident population of the temple town year-round, not just during peak pilgrimage seasons.
- If you'd like a pilgrimage site near you considered for development, that request is best raised through your State Tourism Department, since proposals originate at the state level.
Where to find more information
- Visit tourism.gov.in for the current list of sanctioned PRASHAD projects and their status.
- Contact your State Tourism Department to propose a pilgrimage or spiritual-heritage site for consideration.
- For visiting a developed PRASHAD site, check with local temple/shrine administration or your state tourism website for current facilities and any advisories.