Srisailam Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple Development Project Inaugurated
Recently the President of India has inaugurated the development project of ‘Srisailam Temple’ in Andhra Pradesh under the PRASHAD scheme.
Srisailam Temple
- It is located on the top of the Nallamala Hills on the banks of the Krishna River in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.
- The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy) and Goddess Parvati (Goddess Bhramaramba Devi).
- It is the only temple in India that is sacred to both Shaiva and Shakta worshippers.
- Its presiding deity is Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy in the shape of a lingam.
- It is considered one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, and one of the 18 Mahashakti Peethas of Parvati.
- It is also classified as one of the Paadal Petra Sthalams glorified in Tamil Tevaram hymns.
- Its earliest mention is found in the Nasik inscription of Pulumavi, a ruler of the Satavahana dynasty.
- It was also patronized by the Ikshvaku rulers (200–300 AD). The time of the Reddy rulers (1325–1448) is considered to be its golden age. The Chalukya, Kakatiya and Vijayanagara empires also contributed to its development.
PRASHAD Scheme
- It is a Central Sector Scheme. The ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive’ was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in the year 2014-15 with the objective of overall development of the identified pilgrimage sites.
- In October 2017, the name of the scheme was changed to ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive -PRASHAD’ National Mission.
- The projects identified under the scheme will be implemented through agencies identified by the concerned State/UT Government.
Objective of the Scheme:
- It aims to focus on integrated infrastructure development to utilize pilgrimage and heritage related tourism sites for employment generation and economic development.
- Along with rejuvenation and spiritual enrichment of important national/global pilgrimage and heritage sites.
Financing:
- Under this, Central Financial Assistance (CFA) is provided to the State Governments to promote tourism at the places identified by the Ministry of Tourism.
- Under this scheme, 100% funding for the components of public financing will be provided by the Central Government.
- It also aims to involve Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for better sustainability/sustainability of the project.
Source – PIB