Lok Sabha Question No. 5968 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-30
Subject: Development of Ashtavinayak Temples of Lenyadri and Ozar
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Dr. Amol Ramsing Kolhe

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5968 ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026

## DEVELOPMENT OF ASHTAVINAYAK TEMPLES OF

## LENYADRI AND OZAR

5968. DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has designated the Ashtavinayak temples of Lenyadri  and  Ozar  as  part  of  the  'Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation  and Spiritual,  Heritage  Augmentation  Drive  (PRASHAD)  Scheme'  for holistic infrastructure development;
- (b) the details of the 'Swadesh Darshan 2.0' projects aimed at developing Agri-Tourism  and  Mountaineering  in  the  Junnar  region,  which  was declared the first 'Tourism Tehsil' of Maharashtra; and
- (c) the details of central support available for the branding of the 'PuneNarayangaon-Junnar' circuit as a world-class destination for weekend tourism and heritage treks?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM         (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a): Development  and  promotion  of  tourist  destinations  is  primarily undertaken  by  the  respective  State  Government/  Union  Territory  (UT) Administration. Ministry of Tourism under its Scheme  'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation  and  Spiritual,  Heritage  Augmentation  Drive'  (PRASHAD) provides financial assistance to the State Governments (SGs) and Union Territory  Administrations  (UTAs)  for  development  of  tourism  related infrastructure at identified religious and heritage sites across the country including  the  State  of  Maharashtra.  This  process  is  undertaken  in consultation with State Governments (SGs)/UT Administrations (UTs).

The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  not  sanctioned  any  project  at  the Ashtavinayak  temples  of  Lenyadri  Ganpati  Temple  and  Vighneshwar Temple  Ozar  under  the  PRASHAD  Scheme.  However,  the  details  of projects  sanctioned  under  the  PRASHAD  Scheme  in  the  State  of Maharashtra are placed at Annexure-I.

(b): Ministry of Tourism under its various schemes including 'Swadesh Darshan  (SD)',  'Swadesh  Darshan  2.0  (SD2.0)'  and  'Challenge  Based Destination Development -CBDD' (an initiative under Swadesh Darshan scheme)  provides  financial assistance for  development  of  tourism infrastructure and experiences in the country, on receipt of the project proposals from State Governments/UT Administrations, in synergy with the scheme guidelines, Government directions, availability of funds, interse priority etc. The above-mentioned schemes are approved till March, 2026.

In addition, Government of India in 2024-25 under Special assistance to States for capital investment scheme (SASCI)- Development of Iconic Tourist  Centres  to  Global  Scale,  sanctioned  the  project  'INS -Guldar Underwater Museum, Artificial Reef, and submarine Tourism in Sindhudurg'  for  ₹46.91  Crore  and  'Development  of  RAM -KAL  PATH  in Nashik' for ₹99.14 Crore in the State of Maharashtra.

Presently,  no  proposal  is  under  consideration  for  development  of tourism projects in the Junnar Region under the above schemes.

The details of the projects sanctioned under SD, SD2.0 and CBDD schemes in the state of Maharashtra, as mentioned above, are placed at Annexure-II.

(c): The  Ministry  endeavours  to  position  India  as  a  preferred  tourism destination in the tourism generating markets to promote various tourism products  and  destinations  and  to  increase  India's  share  in  the  global tourism market. The objectives are met through an integrated marketing and promotional strategy and a synergized campaign in association with the Travel Trade, State Governments and Indian Missions overseas.

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ANNEXURE-I

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5968 ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF ASHTAVINAYAK TEMPLES OF LENYADRI AND OZAR RAISED BY DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE

Details of the project sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme in the State of Maharashtra

|   Sr. No. | Name of the Project                  |   Amount Sanctioned (Rs. In Crore) |
|-----------|--------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
|         1 | Development of Trimbakeshwar, Nashik |                              45.41 |

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ANNEXURE-II

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (b)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5968 ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF ASHTAVINAYAK TEMPLES OF LENYADRI AND OZAR RAISED BY DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE

Details  of  the  projects  sanctioned  under  Swadesh  Darshan,  Swadesh Darshan 2.0, & CBDD schemes in the state of Maharashtra

|   Sr. No. | Scheme   | Name of the Project                                                                                   |   Amount Sanctioned (Rs. In Crore) |
|-----------|----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
|         1 | SD       | Development of Sindhudurg Coastal Circuit - Sagareshwar, Tarkarli, Vijaydurg (Beach & Creek), Mitbhav |                              19.06 |
|         2 | SD       | Development of Waki- Adasa- Dhapewada- Paradsingha- Telankhandi- Girad                                |                              45.47 |
|         3 | SD2.0    | Shivshrusthi Theme Park                                                                               |                              76.22 |
|         4 | CBDD     | Development of Ahmednagar Fort                                                                        |                              25    |

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