Lok Sabha Question No. 3507 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-11
Subject: Promotion of Temples as Tourist Destinations in Bihar
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Ajay Kumar Mandal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3507 ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025

## PROMOTION OF TEMPLES AS TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN BIHAR

3507. SHRI AJAY KUMAR MANDAL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  considering  for  declaring  major  tourist destinations  in  Bihar's  Bhagalpur  district,  including  Champa  Nagar, Budha Nath and Bateshwar Sthan Temples, as national tourism spots;
- (b) whether  any  steps  have  been  taken  or  proposals  submitted  by  the Government to promote these temples under national tourism schemes, considering their historical, cultural and religious significance, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  plans  to  allocate  special  funds  or  launch development  projects to enhance  infrastructure, connectivity and tourism facilities at Champa Nagar, Budha Nath and Bateshwar Sthan Temples as well as Bihar and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM                (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (c):  Development and promotion of tourist destinations is undertaken by the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration. The Ministry complements the efforts of States/UTs by developing and promoting various  tourism  products  of  the  country,  through  various  schemes  and initiatives.

No  proposal  is  under  the  consideration  of  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  for development of tourism infrastructure around Champa Nagar, Budha Nath and Bateshwar Sthan Temples, Bhagalpur. However, the Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned various tourism development projects in Bihar, which are given in the Annexure.

Receiving  proposals  from  the  State  Governments/UT  Administrations  for financial  assistance  for  tourism  projects  is  a  continuous  process.  The proposals received are examined with reference to the prescribed guidelines and financial assistance is extended for such projects subject to fulfillment of the stipulated conditions and availability of funds.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3507 ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025 REGARDING PROMOTION OF TEMPLES  AS  TOURIST  DESTINATIONS  IN  BIHAR  RAISED  BY  SHRI  AJAY KUMAR MANDAL

## List of Projects under PRASHAD Scheme in Bihar

|   Sr. No. | Name of the Project                                              |   Sanctioned Cost (Rs. in Crore) |
|-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------|
|         1 | Development at Patna Sahib                                       |                            29.62 |
|         2 | Development of basic facilities at Vishnupad temple, Gaya, Bihar |                             3.63 |
|         3 | Development of Ambika Bhawani Temple, Saran                      |                            13.29 |

## List of Projects under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in Bihar

|   Sr. No. | Circuit Name/ Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                                            |   Amount Sanctioned (Rs. in Crore) |
|-----------|-------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
|         1 | Tirthankar Circuit 2016-17    | Development of Vaishali- Arrah- Masad- Patna- Rajgir- Pawapuri- Champapuri     |                              33.96 |
|         2 | Spiritual Circuit 2016-17     | Development of Kanwaria Route: Sultanganj - Dharmshala- Deoghar                |                              44.76 |
|         3 | Buddhist Circuit 2016-17      | Development of Buddhist circuit- Construction of Convention Centre at Bodhgaya |                              95.18 |
|         4 | Rural Circuit 2017-18         | Development of Bhitiharwa- Chandrahia- Turkaulia                               |                              44.27 |
|         5 | Spiritual Circuit 2017-18     | Development of Mandar Hill & Ang Pradesh                                       |                              44.55 |

## List of Projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme in Bihar

|   Sr. No. | Destination   | Name of the Experience                                                |   Sanctioned Cost (Rs. in Crore) |
|-----------|---------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------|
|         1 | Bodh Gaya     | Development of the Buddhist Meditation & Experience Centre, Bodh Gaya |                           165.44 |

List of Projects sanctioned under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), in Bihar

|   Sr. No. | Name of the Project                                             |   Sanctioned Cost (Rs. in Crore) |
|-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------|
|         1 | Development of Tourist Facilities at Sonepur Mela Ground, Saran |                            24.28 |

## List  of  Projects  sanctioned  under  Special  Assistance  to  States  for  Capital Investment (SASCI Scheme) in Bihar

|   Sr. No. | Name of the Project                                  |   Sanctioned Cost (Rs. in Crore) |
|-----------|------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------|
|         1 | Development of Matsyagandha Lake in Saharsa          |                            97.61 |
|         2 | Karamchat Eco-Tourism and Adventure Hub in Karamchat |                            49.51 |

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