Lok Sabha Question No. 4669 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-23
Subject: Inclusion of Arunachaleshwar Temple under Cultural Religious Thematic Circuit
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: C.N. Annadurai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4669 ANSWERED ON 23.03.2020

## INCLUSION OF ARUNACHALESHWAR TEMPLE UNDER CULTURAL RELIGIOUS THEMATIC CIRCUIT

## 4669. SHRI C.N. ANNADURAI:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  places/institutions  included  for  development  as  culturalreligious thematic circuit under Swadesh Darshan Scheme;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  develop  Tourism Circuit  for  Shiva  Temples  in  the  country  under  Swadesh Darshan Scheme and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the  total  outlay  for  each  circuit  and  layout  and  time  line  for development of those circuits;
- (d) the time by which the Arunachaleshwar temple in Tiruvannmalai region which attracts thousands of pilgrims for darshan and Girvallam (circumambulation of the Arunachaleshwar Hill) would be places in the map of culturalreligious thematic circuit for its development; and
- (e) the steps taken to provide basic amenities to lakhs of pilgrims visiting Arunachaleshwar Temple at Tiruvannmalai for promotion of religious tourism?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a) to (c): Ministry of Tourism under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme is     developing     thematic  tourist  circuits  in  the  country  with  the objective of providing   enhanced tourism experience to the visitors. Ministry has identified fifteen thematic circuits for development namely  Buddhist     Circuit,  Krishna  Circuit,  Spiritual

Circuit,  Ramayana  Circuit,  Sufi  Circuit,     and  Tirthankara  Circuit. The  sites  taken  up  for  development  under  the     scheme  includes cultural  and  religious  sites  including  Shiva     Temples in     the country.  The  details  of  projects  sanctioned  under  the  Swadesh Darshan   scheme are at annexure.

In   addition to above the Ministry under its PRASHAD scheme is also developing   tourist facilities at the pilgrimage and heritage sites  in  the  country.  The     Shavite  temples  covered  under  the scheme includes Somnath (Gujarat),     Srisailam  (Andhra  Pradesh), Baidyanathji Dham (Jharkhand)) , Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh), Trimbakeshwar (Maharashtra), Ekambeshwar Temple (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu), Markandey Mahadev Temple (Varanasi ,Uttar Pradesh) , Kedarnath (Uttarakhand) and Amarlingeshwar Swamy Temple (Amravati, Andhra Pradesh).

There     is  no  circuit  wise  outlay  under  Swadesh  Darshan Scheme.  As per the scheme guidelines the timelines   of the project varies from 18 to 36 months.

(d) to (e): The projects under the scheme are identified for development  in     consultation  with  the  State  Governments/  Union Territory Administrations and   are sanctioned subject to availability of funds, submission of suitable Detailed Project Reports, adherence   to scheme guidelines and utilization of   funds released earlier.  The  State  Government  of     Tamilnadu     has  not  submitted any  proposal  for  development  of     Arunachaleshwar  Temple  in Tiruvannmalai.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4669 ANSWERED ON 23.03.2020 REGARDING INCLUSION OF ARUNACHALESHWAR TEMPLE UNDER CULTURAL RELIGIOUS THEMATIC CIRCUIT.

## PROJECTS SANCTIONED UNDER SWADESH DARSHAN SCHEME.

(Amount in Crores)

|   Sl. No. | State/UT                  | Circuit/ Year                | Name of the Project                                                                                                                                                                 |   Amt. Sanctioned |
|-----------|---------------------------|------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|
|         1 | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Coastal Circuit/ 2016-17     | Development of Long Island- Ross Smith Island- Neil Island- Havelock Island- Baratang Island-Port Blair.                                                                            |             42.19 |
|         2 | Andhra Pradesh            | Coastal Circuit/ 2014-15     | Development of Circuit at Kakinada - Hope Island - Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary - Passarlapudi - Aduru - S Yanam - Kotipally                                                          |             67.84 |
|         3 | Andhra Pradesh            | Coastal Circuit/ 2015-16     | Development of Nellore,Pulikat Lake, Ubblamadugu water falls, Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Mypadu Beach, Ramatheertham                                                                 |             59.7  |
|         4 | Andhra Pradesh            | Buddhist Circuit/ 2017-18    | Development of Buddhist Circuit: Shalihundam- Thotlakonda- Bavikonda- Bojjanakonda- Amravati- Anupu in Andhra Pradesh under the theme of Buddhist Circuit of Swadesh Darshan Scheme |             52.34 |
|         5 | Arunachal Pradesh         | North- East Circuit/ 2014-15 | Development of Circuit at Bhalukpong- Bomdila and Tawang.                                                                                                                           |             49.77 |
|         6 | Arunachal Pradesh         | North East Circuit/ 2015-16  | Integrated Development of Jirigaon, Nafra, Seppa, Pappu, Pasa, Pakke Valleys, Lumdung, LafangSohung Lake, Taro Yar, New Sagalee, Ziro, Yomcha                                       |             97.14 |

|   7. | Assam                                          | Wildlife Circuit/ 2015-16   | Development of Manas- Pobitora- Nameri- Kaziranga- Dibru- Saikhowa.                                                                                                                    |   95.67 |
|------|------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|
|    8 | Assam                                          | Heritage Circuit/ 2016-17   | Development of Tezpur - Majuli - Sibsagar                                                                                                                                              |   98.35 |
|    9 | Bihar                                          | Tirthankar circuit/ 2016-17 | Development of Vaishali- Arrah- Masad- Patna- Rajgir- Pawapuri- Champapuri.                                                                                                            |   52.39 |
|   10 | Bihar                                          | Spiritual circuit/ 2016-17  | Integrated Development of Kanwaria Route: Sultanganj- Mojma- Banka.                                                                                                                    |   52.35 |
|   11 | Bihar                                          | Buddhist Circuit/ 2016-17   | Construction of Convention Centre at Bodhgaya                                                                                                                                          |   98.73 |
|   12 | Bihar                                          | Rural Circuit/ 2017-18      | Development of Bhitiharwa- Chandrahia- Turkaulia                                                                                                                                       |   44.65 |
|   13 | Bihar                                          | Spiritual Circuit/ 2017-18  | Development of Mandar Hill &Ang Pradesh.                                                                                                                                               |   53.49 |
|   14 | Chhattisgarh                                   | Tribal Circuit/ 2015-16     | Development of Jashpur- Kunkuri- Mainpat- Ambikapur- Maheshpur -Ratanpur- Kurdar-Sarodadadar- Gangrel- Kondagaon- NathiyaNawagaon- Jagdalpur- Chitrakoot- Tirthgarh.                   |   99    |
|   15 | Development of Wayside Amenities (Sub- Scheme) | 2018-19                     | Development of Wayside Amenities in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar at Varanasi-Gaya; Lucknow-Ayodhya- Lucknow; Gorakhpur- Kushinagar; Kushinagar- Gaya- Kushinaga in collaboration with MoRTH |   17.93 |
|   16 | Goa                                            | Coastal Circuit/ 2016-17    | Development of Sinquerim- Baga, Anjuna-Vagator, Morjim-Keri, Aguada Fort and                                                                                                           |   99.99 |

|    |                  | Aguada Jail.               | Aguada Jail.                                                                                                                                                    |       |
|----|------------------|----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|
| 17 | Goa              | Coastal Circuit/ 2017-18   | Development of Coastal Circuit II: Rua De Orum Creek - Don Paula -Colva - Benaulim                                                                              | 99.35 |
| 18 | Gujarat          | Heritage Circuit/ 2016-17  | Development of Ahmedabad- Rajkot- Porbandar -Bardoli- Dandi.                                                                                                    | 85.01 |
| 19 | Gujarat          | Heritage Circuit/ 2016-17  | Development of Vadnagar- Modhera and Patan                                                                                                                      | 98.61 |
| 20 | Gujarat          | Buddhist circuit/ 2017-18  | Development of Junagadh- GirSomnath- Bharuch-Kutch- Bhavnagar- Rajkot- Mehsana                                                                                  | 29.28 |
| 21 | Haryana          | Krishna Circuit/ 2016-17   | Development of Tourism Infrastructures at places related to Mahabharata in Kurukshetra                                                                          | 97.35 |
| 22 | Himachal Pradesh | Himalayan Circuit/ 2016-17 | Integrated Development of Himalayan Circuit in Himachal Pradesh                                                                                                 | 86.85 |
| 23 | Jammu & Kashmir  | Himalayan Circuit/ 2016-17 | Integrated Development of Jammu, Kashmir, Pehalgam, Kargil, Leh                                                                                                 | 82.97 |
| 24 | Jammu & Kashmir  | Himalayan Circuit/ 2016-17 | Integrated Development of Tourist Facilities at Jammu- Rajouri-Shopian-Pulwama.                                                                                 | 96.38 |
| 25 | Jammu & Kashmir  | Himalayan Circuit/ 2016-17 | Integrated Development of Tourist Facilities under the Construction of Assets in lieu of those Destroyed in Floods in 2014 under PM Development Package for J&K | 90.96 |
| 26 | Jammu & Kashmir  | Himalayan Circuit/ 2016-17 | Integrated Development of Tourist facilities at Mantalai- Sudhmahadev- Patnitop                                                                                 | 97.82 |
| 27 | Jammu & Kashmir  | Himalayan Circuit/ 2016-17 | Integrated Development of Tourist Facilities at Anantnag- Kishtwar- Pahalgam - Daksum -                                                                         | 87.44 |

|   28. | Jammu & Kashmir   | Himalayan Circuit/ 2016-17   | Integrated Development of Tourist Facilities at Gulmarg-Baramulla-Kupwara- Leh                                                                         |   96.93 |
|-------|-------------------|------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|
|    29 | Jharkhand         | Eco Circuit/ 2018-19         | Development of Dalma- Chandil- Getalsud- Betla national park- Mirchaiya- Netarhat                                                                      |   52.72 |
|    30 | Kerala            | Eco Circuit/ 2015-16         | Development of Pathanamthitta- Gavi- Vagamon- Thekkady                                                                                                 |   76.55 |
|    31 | Kerala            | Spiritual Circuit/ 2016-17   | Development of Sabarimala - Erumeli-Pampa-Sannidhanam                                                                                                  |   99.99 |
|    32 | Kerala            | Spiritual Circuit/ 2016-17   | Development of SreePadmanabhaArnamula- Sabrimala                                                                                                       |   92.22 |
|    33 | Kerala            | Rural Circuit/ 2018-19       | Development of Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism Project                                                                                                  |   80.37 |
|    34 | Madhya Pradesh    | Wildlife Circuit/ 2015-16    | Development of Wildlife Circuit at Panna- Mukundpur- Sanjay- Dubri-Bandhavgarh- Kanha- Mukki- Pench                                                    |   92.22 |
|    35 | Madhya Pradesh    | Buddhist Circuit/ 2016-17    | Development of Sanchi- Satna-Rewa-Mandsaur-Dhar                                                                                                        |   74.94 |
|    36 | Madhya Pradesh    | Heritage circuit/ 2016-17    | Development of Gwalior - Orchha - Khajuraho - Chanderi - Bhimbetka - Mandu                                                                             |   92.97 |
|    37 | Madhya Pradesh    | Eco Circuit/ 2017-18         | Development of Gandhisagar Dam- Mandleshwar Dam- Omkareshwar Dam- Indira Sagar Dam- Tawa Dam- Bargi Dam- Bheda Ghat-                                   |   99.62 |
|    38 | Maharashtra       | Coastal Circuit/ 2015-16     | Development of Sindhudurg Coastal Circuit (Shiroda Beach, Sagareshwar, Tarkarli, Vijaydurg (Beach & Creek), Devgad (Fort & Beach), Mitbhav, Tondavali, |   82.17 |

|    |             |                              | Mocehmad and Nivati Fort)                                                                                                                                                                                                    |       |
|----|-------------|------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|
| 39 | Maharashtra | Spiritual Circuit/ 2018-19   | Development of Waki- Adasa- Dhapewada- Paradsingha- Chota Taj Bagh- Telankhandi- Girad                                                                                                                                       | 54.01 |
| 40 | Manipur     | North- East Circuit/ 2015-16 | Development of Tourist Circuit in Manipur: Imphal- Khongjom                                                                                                                                                                  | 72.23 |
| 41 | Manipur     | Spiritual Circuit/ 2016-17   | Development of Shri Govindajee Temple, Shri BijoyGovindajee Temple - Shri Gopinath Temple - Shri Bungshibodon Temple - Shri Kaina Temple                                                                                     | 53.8  |
| 42 | Meghalaya   | North East Circuit/ 2016-17  | Development of Umium (Lake View), U LumSohpetbneng- Mawdiangdiang - Orchid Lake                                                                                                                                              | 99.13 |
| 43 | Meghalaya   | North East Circuit/ 2018-19  | Development of West Khasi Hills (Nongkhlaw- KremTirot - Khudoi&Kohmang Falls - Khri River- Mawthadraishan, Shillong), Jaintia Hills (Krang Suri Falls- Shyrmang- Iooksi), Garo Hills (Nokrek Reserve, KattaBeel, Siju Caves) | 84.97 |
| 44 | Mizoram     | North East Circuit/ 2015-16  | Integrated Development of Thenzawl& South Zote, District Serchhip and Reiek.                                                                                                                                                 | 94.91 |
| 45 | Mizoram     | Eco Circuit/ 2016-17         | Development of Eco- Adventure Circuit Aizawl - Rawpuichhip - Khawhphawp - Lengpui - Durtlang - Chatlang- Sakawrhmuituaitlang - Muthee - Beratlawng -Tuirial Airfield - Hmuifang                                              | 99.07 |
| 46 | Nagaland    | Tribal Circuit/              | Development of Tribal Circuit Peren- Kohima- Wokha                                                                                                                                                                           | 97.36 |
| 47 | Nagaland    | Tribal                       | Development of                                                                                                                                                                                                               | 99.67 |

|    |            | circuit/ 2016-17           | Mokokchung-Tuensang-Mon                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |       |
|----|------------|----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|
| 48 | Odisha     | Coastal circuit/ 2016-17   | Development of Gopalpur, Barkul, Satapada and Tampara                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | 70.82 |
| 49 | Puducherry | Coastal Circuit/ 2015-16   | Development of Dubrayapet - Arikamedu - Veerampattinam - Chunnambar - Nallavadu/Narambai - Manapet- Kalapet - Puducherry - Yanam                                                                                                                                                   | 85.28 |
| 50 | Puducherry | Heritage Circuit/ 2017-18  | Development of Heritage Circuit in Puducherry                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | 66.35 |
| 51 | Puducherry | Spiritual Circuit/ 2017-18 | Development of Puducherry - Thirukanch- Karaikal- Yanam                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | 40.68 |
| 52 | Punjab     | Heritage Circuit/ 2018-19  | Development of Anandpur Sahib - Fatehgarh Sahib - Chamkaur Sahib - Ferozpur - Amritsar - Khatkar Kalan - Kalanour - Patiala                                                                                                                                                        | 99.95 |
| 53 | Rajasthan  | Desert Circuit/ 2015-16    | Development of Sambhar Lake Town and Other Destinations                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | 63.96 |
| 54 | Rajasthan  | Krishna Circuit/ 2016-17   | Integrated Development of Govind Dev ji temple (Jaipur), KhatuShyam Ji (Sikar) and Nathdwara (Rajsamand)                                                                                                                                                                           | 91.45 |
| 55 | Rajasthan  | Spiritual Circuit/ 2016-17 | Development of Churu (SalasarBalaji)- Jaipur (Shri SamodeBalaji, Ghat keBalaji, BandhekeBalaji)- Alwar (PandupoleHanumanji, Bharathari)- Viratnagar (Bijak, Jainnasiya, Ambika Temple)- Bharatpur (Kaman Region)- Dholpur (Muchkund) - MehandipurBalaji- Chittorgarh (Sanwaliyaji) | 93.9  |
| 56 | Rajasthan  | Heritage Circuit/          | Development of Rajsamand (Kumbhalgarh Fort)- Jaipur                                                                                                                                                                                                                                | 90.92 |

|    |            | 2017-18                     | (Nahargarh Fort)- Alwar (BalaQuila)- SawaiMadhopur (Ranthambore Fort and Khandar Fort)- Jhalawar (Gagron Fort)- Chittorgarh (Chittorgarh Fort) Jaisalmer (JaisalmerFort) Hanumangarh (Kalibangan, Bhatner Fort and Gogamedi)- Jalore (Jalore Fort)- Udaipur (Pratap Gaurav Kendra)- Dholpur (Bagh-i-Nilofar and PuraniChawni)- Nagaur(Meera Bai Smarak)   |       |
|----|------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|
| 57 | Sikkim     | North-East Circuit/ 2015-16 | Development of Tourist Circuit linking Rangpo (entry) - Rorathang- Aritar- Phadamchen- Nathang- Sherathang- Tsongmo- Gangtok-Phodong- Mangan- Lachung-Yumthang- Lachen- Thangu-Gurudongmer- Mangan- Gangtok- TuminLingee- Singtam (exit)                                                                                                                  | 98.05 |
| 58 | Sikkim     | North East Circuit/ 2016-17 | Development of Tourist Circuit Linking Singtam- Maka- Temi-BermoikTokel- Phongia- Namchi -Jorthang- Okharey- Sombaria-Daramdin- Jorethang- Melli (Exit)                                                                                                                                                                                                   | 95.32 |
| 59 | Tamil Nadu | Coastal Circuit/ 2016-17    | Development of (Chennai- Mamamallapuram - Rameshwaram - Manpadu - Kanyakumari)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | 74.58 |
| 60 | Telangana  | Eco Circuit/ 2015-16        | Integrated Development of Eco Tourism Circuit in Mahaboobnagar district                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   | 91.62 |
| 61 | Telangana  | Tribal Circuit/ 2016-17     | Integrated Development of Mulugu-Laknavaram- Medavaram- Tadvai- Damaravi- Mallur- Bogatha                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | 83.88 |
| 62 | Telangana  | Heritage Circuit/           | Development of Heritage Circuit: QutubShahi Heritage                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | 99.42 |

|    |               | 2017-18                     | Park- Paigah Tombs- Hayat Bakshi Mosque- Raymond's Tomb                                                                                                                |       |
|----|---------------|-----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|
| 63 | Tripura       | North East Circuit/ 2015-16 | Development of North East Circuit: Agartala - Sipahijala - Melaghar - Udaipur - Amarpur- Tirthamukh- Mandirghat- Dumboor- NarikelKunja-                                | 99.59 |
| 64 | Tripura       | North East circuit/ 2018-19 | Development of SurmaCherra- Unakoti- Jampui Hills- Gunabati- Bhunaneshwari- Matabari- Neermahal- Boxanagar- Chottakhola- Pilak- Avangchaarra                           | 65    |
| 65 | Uttar Pradesh | Buddhist Circuit/ 2016-17   | Development of Srawasti, Kushinagar, &Kapilwastu                                                                                                                       | 99.97 |
| 66 | Uttar Pradesh | Ramayana Circuit/ 2016-17   | Development of Chitrakoot and Shringverpur                                                                                                                             | 69.45 |
| 67 | Uttar Pradesh | Spiritual Circuit/ 2016-17  | Development of Shahjahanpur-Basti- Ahar- Aligharh-Kasgunj-Sarosi- Pratapgarh-Unnao- Kaushambi- Mirzapur- Gorakpur- Kairana- DoamrFiyagunj- Bagpat- Barabanki- Azamgarh | 68.39 |
| 68 | Uttar Pradesh | Spiritual Circuit/ 2016-17  | Development of Bijnor- Meerut- Kanpur- Kanpur Dehat- Banda- Ghazipur- Salempur- Ghosi- Balia- Ambedkar Nagar- Aligarh- Fatehpur- Deoria- Mahoba- Sonbhadra- Chandauli- | 63.77 |
| 69 | Uttar Pradesh | Heritage Circuit/ 2016-17   | Development of Kalinjar Fort (Banda)- MarharDham (SantKabir Nagar)- ChauriChaura, Shaheed Sthal (Fatehpur)- MavaharSthal (Ghosi)-                                      | 34.82 |

|       |               |                            | Shaheed Smarak (Meerut)                                                                                          |         |
|-------|---------------|----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|
| 70.   | Uttar Pradesh | Ramayana Circuit/ 2017-18  | Development of Ayodhya                                                                                           |  133.31 |
| 71.   | Uttar Pradesh | Spiritual Circuit/ 2018-19 | Development of Jewar- Dadri-Sikandrabad-Noida- Khurja-Banda                                                      |   14.52 |
| 72.   | Uttar Pradesh | Spiritual Circuit/ 2018-19 | Development of Gorakhnath Temple(Gorakhpur), Devipattan Temple (Balrampur) and Vatvashni Temple (Domariyagunj)   |   21.16 |
| 73.   | Uttarakhand   | Eco Circuit/ 2015-16       | Development of Circuit at Tehri-Chamba- Sarain around Tehri Lake.                                                |   70.92 |
| 74.   | Uttarakhand   | Heritage circuit/ 2016-17  | Development of Heritage Circuit in Kumaon Region - Katarmal -Jogeshwar- Baijnath-Devidhura                       |   79.13 |
| 75.   | West Bengal   | Coastal Circuit/ 2015-16   | Development of Beach Circuit: Udaipur- Digha- Shankarpur- Tajpur- Mandarmani- Fraserganj- Bakkhlai- Henry Island |   85.39 |
| Total | Total         | Total                      | Total                                                                                                            | 5881    |

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