Prasad Scheme: A Successful Initiative for Pilgrimage Development in India

PRASAD Scheme

The PRASAD Scheme, officially termed the National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), is a flagship initiative by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Launched in 2014-2015, it aims to transform pilgrimage and heritage destinations into well-developed, sustainable, and visitor-friendly sites to enhance the religious tourism experience. The scheme was rebranded in October 2017 from its original name, Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive, to include a broader focus on heritage sites alongside pilgrimage centers, following the discontinuation of the HRIDAY Scheme.

Key Aspects of the PRASAD Scheme:

• Integrated Development: The scheme prioritizes the holistic development of identified pilgrimage and heritage destinations. It focuses on improving infrastructure, accessibility, and visitor amenities to provide a comprehensive religious and cultural tourism experience.
• Economic and Social Impact: By developing pilgrimage sites, many of which are located near rural areas, the scheme fosters job creation and the growth of ancillary infrastructure, such as hotels, transport, and local handicraft markets. This intertwining of pilgrimage and rural tourism benefits both visitors and local communities.
• Collaboration with Other Schemes: The PRASAD Scheme aligns with initiatives like Swadesh Darshan to enhance tourism infrastructure across India. Financial assistance is provided to State Governments, Union Territory Administrations, and Central Agencies to implement projects under the scheme.
• Implementation Framework: Projects are executed by State or Union Territory Governments through designated agencies, ensuring localized management and effective utilization of resources. The Ministry of Tourism has established a Mission Directorate to oversee the scheme’s implementation.
• Focus on Sustainability: The scheme emphasizes eco-friendly measures, such as renewable energy-based lighting, sustainable transport options, and community-based development, to ensure long-term viability and minimal environmental impact.
• Infrastructure Development: The scheme supports the creation of essential facilities, including first aid centers, toilets, waiting rooms, drinking water points, parking areas, craft bazaars, and telecom and internet connectivity. It also improves last-mile connectivity through better road, rail, and water transport infrastructure, alongside tourism information and interpretation centers.

The PRASAD Scheme is a significant topic for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, and Banking, as it falls under the General Awareness and Static GK sections. It reflects the government’s commitment to promoting tourism while preserving India’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage, making it a critical area of study for aspirants.

Below is a detailed overview of the scheme’s highlights, as summarized in the provided table:

Key Features of the PRASAD Scheme:

• Objective: The scheme focuses on the integrated development of pilgrimage destinations to provide a holistic religious tourism experience. It aims to improve infrastructure, promote local culture, and generate employment opportunities, particularly in areas adjacent to rural regions with significant pilgrimage centers.
• Funding: The Central Government provides 100% funding for components within the public domain. To ensure sustainability, the scheme encourages involvement through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). A budget of ₹15.60 crore was allocated in the revised estimates for 2014-2015, with an initial installment of ₹85.78 lakh released for developing basic facilities at Vishnupad Temple in Gaya, Bihar.
• Implementation: The projects under the PRASAD Scheme are executed by the respective State or Union Territory Governments through designated agencies, ensuring localized and effective implementation.
• Scope: The scheme supports the development of infrastructure such as first aid centers, toilets, waiting rooms, drinking water facilities, eco-friendly transport, renewable energy-based lighting, craft bazaars, and internet connectivity. It also emphasizes last-mile connectivity, tourism information centers, and facilities like ATMs and money exchange counters.
• Integration with Other Schemes: The PRASAD Scheme works in tandem with other initiatives like Swadesh Darshan to bolster tourism infrastructure. It also promotes community-based development and pro-poor tourism concepts to benefit local communities.

PRASAD Scheme Cities

The PRASAD Scheme, now known as PRASHAD, strives to create a comprehensive religious tourist experience by integrating the development of pilgrimage places in a planned, prioritized, and sustainable manner. Initially, the scheme identified 12 cities for the development of pilgrimage and heritage destinations, selected based on their rich heritage and cultural history.

These original 12 cities include:

1. Kamakhya (Assam)
2. Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh)
3. Dwaraka (Gujarat)
4. Gaya (Bihar)
5. Amritsar (Punjab)
6. Ajmer (Rajasthan)
7. Puri (Odisha)
8. Kedarnath (Uttarakhand)
9. Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu)
10. Velankanni (Tamil Nadu)
11. Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)
12. Mathura (Uttar Pradesh)

Over the years, the scheme has expanded significantly to include more sites across India, aiming to enrich religious tourism and promote heritage. As of 2025, a total of 54 projects have been sanctioned under the PRASHAD scheme at an estimated cost of Rs 1,726.74 crore. Other sources indicate around 46 to 48 projects, with 23 completed. The expansion includes additional sites such as Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh), Somnath and Dwarka (Gujarat), Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri (Uttarakhand), Hampi and Chamundeshwari Devi (Karnataka), Patna (Bihar), Deogarh (Jharkhand), Guruvayoor (Kerala), Hazratbal and Katra (Jammu & Kashmir), and many more across 25 states.

Recent sanctions in 2024-25 include projects like the Development of Pilgrimage Tourism Infrastructure in Annavaram Temple Town (Andhra Pradesh, Rs 25.33 crore), Development of Ambika Bhawani Temple in Saran (Bihar, Rs 13.29 crore), Development of Bom Jesus Basilica (Goa, Rs 16.46 crore), and others in Karnataka, Mizoram, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.

This expansion reflects the scheme’s growth to cover over 45 iconic religious destinations by 2025, enhancing infrastructure and accessibility for pilgrims while boosting local economies.

Funding of PRASAD Scheme

The PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) Scheme, launched by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, is designed to enhance pilgrimage tourism by developing infrastructure at key religious sites. Funding for the scheme primarily comes from the Central Government, which provides 100% financial support for project components that fall under public funding. This ensures that essential developments at pilgrimage destinations are fully backed by central resources without requiring matching contributions from state governments for these elements.

To promote sustainability and broader participation, the scheme actively encourages additional funding through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). These voluntary contributions help in maintaining and expanding the projects beyond the initial central assistance, fostering long-term viability. For instance, in its early implementation, the scheme had a budget allocation of Rs. 15.60 crore in the revised estimates for 2014-2015, with initial releases such as Rs. 85.78 lakh for basic facilities at Vishnupad Temple in Gaya, Bihar.

The funding is managed through a dedicated Mission Directorate within the Ministry of Tourism, which oversees the identification, planning, and execution of projects. State governments or Union Territories submit Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for approval, and funds are released in installments based on project progress and utilization certificates. This structured approach ensures accountability and efficient use of resources.

Overall, the funding mechanism under the PRASAD Scheme not only relies on robust central support but also integrates collaborative models like CSR and PPP to create holistic development at pilgrimage sites, ultimately boosting tourism and local economies.

PRASAD Scheme Cities (Focus: Assam)

The PRASAD scheme identifies and develops key pilgrimage and heritage sites across India to enhance their tourism potential. In Assam, the scheme focuses on transforming significant religious and cultural destinations into well-equipped pilgrimage hubs. The primary site identified in Assam is Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, a major Shakti Peetha revered by Hindus across the country.

Kamakhya Temple and Other Sites in Assam

• Kamakhya Temple (Guwahati): Located atop the Nilachal Hill, Kamakhya Temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas and a prominent pilgrimage site dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya. Under the PRASAD scheme, the Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned projects to improve infrastructure around the temple, including better access roads, sanitation facilities, and visitor amenities. These developments aim to enhance the pilgrim experience while preserving the site’s spiritual and cultural significance.
• Other Potential Sites: While Kamakhya Temple is the flagship project, the scheme also supports the development of other pilgrimage destinations in and around Guwahati. For instance, sites like the Umananda Temple on Peacock Island and other religious spots are considered for integrated tourism development to create a holistic pilgrimage circuit in Assam.
• Financial Allocations: Between 2014-15 and 2023-24, Assam received significant funding under the PRASAD scheme for projects aimed at upgrading amenities. For example, funds have been utilized to improve connectivity, provide eco-friendly transport options, and develop tourist facilitation centers around Kamakhya Temple. The total approved cost for projects in Assam up to 2021-22 reflects the scheme’s commitment to boosting tourism infrastructure in the state.

Impact in Assam

The PRASAD scheme in Assam not only enhances the spiritual tourism experience but also contributes to economic growth. By improving infrastructure around Kamakhya Temple, the scheme has created employment opportunities in tourism-related sectors like hospitality, transport, and local handicrafts. The development of pilgrimage circuits also promotes Assam’s rich cultural heritage, attracting both domestic and international tourists. The focus on sustainability ensures that these projects benefit local communities while minimizing environmental impact.

Objectives of the PRASAD Scheme

The PRASAD Scheme, also known as PRASHAD (National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive), is designed with a comprehensive set of objectives aimed at transforming pilgrimage and heritage sites into vibrant, sustainable tourism hubs. Launched by the Ministry of Tourism, the scheme’s objectives emphasize holistic development, economic growth, community involvement, and infrastructure enhancement. As per the official guidelines, the key objectives include:

• Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation of Pilgrimage Destinations: The scheme focuses on revitalizing important national and global pilgrimage sites to enrich the spiritual experience for tourists and pilgrims. This involves preserving the cultural and religious essence while modernizing facilities to meet contemporary needs.
• Enhancing Tourism Attractiveness Sustainably: A core objective is to boost the appeal of identified pilgrimage destinations and heritage cities through integrated tourism development. This is achieved in a planned, prioritized, and sustainable manner, ensuring the provision of world-class tourism projects that balance growth with environmental conservation.
• Driving Economic Growth and Employment Generation: The scheme positions pilgrimage and heritage tourism as a major engine for economic development. It leverages the direct and multiplier effects of tourism to create jobs, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas adjacent to pilgrimage sites. By harnessing pilgrimage tourism, it aims to multiply employment opportunities and stimulate local economies.
• Promoting Community-Based and Pro-Poor Tourism: Emphasizing ‘Pro-Poor’ tourism concepts and responsible tourism initiatives, the scheme follows community-based development models. This ensures that local communities are actively involved, benefiting from tourism through employment, skill development, and improved living standards.
• Raising Awareness and Promoting Local Heritage: The scheme seeks to create awareness among local communities about the value of tourism for income generation and area development. It promotes local arts, culture, handicrafts, cuisine, and heritage structures to generate livelihoods and preserve cultural identity.
• Bridging Infrastructural Gaps: A key goal is to strengthen mechanisms for addressing infrastructural deficiencies at pilgrimage sites and heritage cities within the core tourism footprint. This includes improving accessibility, safety, and visitor amenities.
• Monitoring and Timely Implementation: The scheme aims to develop robust monitoring systems in collaboration with States/Union Territories and stakeholders to ensure projects are completed on time and meet quality standards.
• Enhancing Safety, Security, and Service Quality: Strengthening measures for the safety and security of pilgrims and tourists, while improving the overall quality of tourism services, is a priority.
• Enabling Scheme Convergence: The objective includes facilitating the convergence of various State and Central Government schemes, along with private sector investments, for integrated site and destination development.

Vision of the PRASAD Scheme: The overarching vision is to rejuvenate the pilgrimage and spiritual experience for tourists through well-planned tourism infrastructure. This enables greater convenience, accessibility, security, cleanliness, and an enriched overall experience. The scheme aims to revitalize and preserve the essence of pilgrimage and heritage cities via integrated, inclusive, and sustainable developments that generate employment opportunities for local communities.

Infrastructure Development Under the Objectives: To achieve these goals, the scheme supports a wide range of infrastructure projects, including:

• Toilet facilities, cloak rooms, waiting rooms, and first aid centers (including Indian medicine systems).
• Informatory and directional signage, illumination of monuments, and wayside amenities with emergency services.
• Parking facilities, road improvements for last-mile connectivity, and eco-friendly transport options.
• General enhancements like landscaping, water fountains, lighting, pavements, garbage bins, and drinking water points.
• Communication improvements such as internet connectivity, Wi-Fi hotspots, and tourism information centers with ATMs.
• Restoration and conservation of historic structures, shoreline development for water bodies, helipads, ropeways, and renewable energy integration.
• For heritage cities, additional focus on civic infrastructure upgrades, heritage walks, street-scaping, museums, and cultural event support.

These objectives make the PRASAD Scheme a pivotal initiative for competitive exam preparation, such as UPSC, where it aligns with topics on tourism policy, economic development, and cultural preservation. As of 2025, the scheme continues to evolve, with ongoing projects emphasizing sustainability and community benefits.

FAQs on Prasad Scheme

Q1. What is the Prasad Scheme in India?
A1. The Prasad Scheme (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) is a government initiative launched in 2014–15 to develop and beautify important pilgrimage sites across India, making them more attractive and comfortable for pilgrims and tourists.

Q2. What is the full form of Prasad Scheme?
A2. The full form of Prasad Scheme is Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive.

Q3. Which ministry implements the Prasad Scheme?
A3. The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India is responsible for implementing the Prasad Scheme.

Q4. Is the Prasad Scheme fully funded by the government?
A4. Yes, the Prasad Scheme provides 100% central assistance, meaning it is fully funded by the Government of India.

Q5. What are the main objectives of the Prasad Scheme?
A5. The scheme aims to develop pilgrimage sites, provide modern facilities, preserve heritage, promote tourism, generate employment, and boost the local economy.

Q6. Which are some important pilgrimage sites covered under the Prasad Scheme?
A6. Major sites include Varanasi, Mathura, Amritsar, Puri, Somnath, Dwarka, Kamakhya, Ajmer, and Velankanni, among others.

Q7. What is the difference between Prasad Scheme and Swadesh Darshan Scheme?
A7. The Prasad Scheme focuses on pilgrimage sites, while the Swadesh Darshan Scheme develops theme-based tourist circuits like Buddhist Circuit, Desert Circuit, and Coastal Circuit.

Q8. How does the Prasad Scheme benefit local communities?
A8. It creates employment opportunities, boosts local businesses like shops, hotels, and transport, and improves infrastructure such as roads, sanitation, and accommodation.

Q9. Does the Prasad Scheme include eco-friendly development?
A9. Yes, the scheme promotes sustainable tourism practices, cleanliness drives, waste management, and eco-friendly facilities in pilgrimage towns.

Q10. What is the future of the Prasad Scheme in India?
A10. The scheme is expected to expand to more pilgrimage cities, with a greater focus on digital facilities, eco-friendly infrastructure, and better crowd management for pilgrims and tourists.