Lok Sabha Question No. 224 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Development of Nevasa Pilgrimage Site
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure

## †*

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA †*

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 224 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

## DEVELOPMENT OF NEVASA PILGRIMAGE SITE

## 224. SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  true  that  Nevasa  in  Ahmednagar  (now  Ahilyanagar) district of Maharashtra, the birthplace of the great Saint of Marathi literature and culture Saint Gyaneshwar (Dnyaneshwar) is a centre of historical and cultural importance, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is a fact that the statue of Saint Gyaneshwar (Dnyaneshwar)  installed  at  his  Samadhi  in  Nevasa  village  is  a pilgrimage  site  and  worshipped  by  his  followers  and  several  other temples and monuments associated with his life are situated there as well;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has taken or proposes to take any steps to ensure  central  allocation  of  funds  for  the  tourism  development  of Nevasa pilgrimage site; and
- (e)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM      (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO. †*224 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF NEVASA PILGRIMAGE SITE RAISED BY SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE

(a): The archaeological mound situated in Newasa, Ahmednagar (Maharashtra)  named  as  "Ancient  Site  locally  known  as  Ladmod"  is  a protected area with ASI under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958.

(b) & (c): The temple located at the southern foot of the Ladmod mound Nevasa, not protected by ASI, is a place where, as per local beliefs and tradition, Sri Jnanesvara dictated the commentary on Gita.

The Ancient site locally known as Ladmod, Newasa, is looked after by  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  and  expenditure  incurred  on  its maintenance during the last three years is as under:

| Expenditure (in Rs.) on annual maintenance of the site   | Expenditure (in Rs.) on annual maintenance of the site   | Expenditure (in Rs.) on annual maintenance of the site   | Expenditure (in Rs.) on annual maintenance of the site   |
|----------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|
| 2022-23                                                  | 2023-24                                                  | 2024-25                                                  | 2025-26(Till Jan)                                        |
| 635412                                                   | 321268                                                   | 259492                                                   | 290414                                                   |

(d) & (e): As regard to tourism is concerned, development and maintenance of  pilgrimage  sites  are  primarily  undertaken  by  the  respective  State Government and Union Territory Administration. The Ministry of Tourism complements the efforts of State Governments (SGs) and UT Administrations (UTs) by  developing  and  promoting  several  tourism products of the country through various schemes and initiatives, including the State of Maharashtra.

No proposal for the tourism development of Nevasa pilgrimage site has  been  received  by  the  Ministry  of  Tourism.  However,  the  Ministry  of Tourism has sanctioned various tourism development projects in Maharashtra amounting to Rs.437.10 crore, details of 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 fulfilment of the stipulated conditions and availability of funds.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (d) AND (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. †*224 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF NEVASA PILGRIMAGE SITE RAISED BY SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE.

## i. List of project sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme in Maharashtra is as under:

|   S. No. | Name of the Project                  | Sanction Year   |   Sanction Amount (₹ in Crores) |   Amount Released (₹ in Crores) |
|----------|--------------------------------------|-----------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
|        1 | Development of Trimbakeshwar, Nashik | 2017-18         |                           45.41 |                           38.44 |

## ii.  List  of  projects  sanctioned  under  Swadesh  Darshan  scheme  (1.0)  in Maharashtra is as under:

|   S. No. | Circuit / Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                                                                   |   Amount Sanctioned (₹ in Cr ore) |   Amount Released /Authorised (₹ in Cr ore) |
|----------|---------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Coastal Circuit 2015-16   | Development of Sindhudurg Coastal Circuit - Sagareshwar, Tarkarli, Vijaydurg (Beach & Creek), Mitbhav |                             19.06 |                                       18.1  |
|        2 | Spiritual Circuit 2018-19 | Development of Waki- Adasa- Dhapewada- Paradsingha- Telankhandi- Girad                                |                             45.47 |                                       43.19 |

- iii.  List  of  project  sanctioned  under  Swadesh  Darshan  scheme  (2.0)  in Maharashtra is as under:
- iv. List of project sanctioned under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)Scheme in Maharashtra is as under:
- v.  List  of  projects  sanctioned  under  Special  Assistance  to  States  for Capital Investment (SASCI)Scheme in Maharashtra is as under:
- vi. List of projects sanctioned under Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development (ACA) Scheme in Maharashtra is as under:

|   S. No. | Name of the Experience   | Sanction Year   |   Sanctioned Cost (₹ in Crore) |   Amount Authorised (₹ in Crore) |
|----------|--------------------------|-----------------|--------------------------------|----------------------------------|
|        1 | Shivshrusthi Theme Park  | 2024-25         |                          76.22 |                             7.62 |

|   S. No. | Destination/ Category           | Name of the Experience         | Sanction Year   |   Sanctioned Cost (₹ in Cr ore) |   Amount Authorised (₹ in Cr ore) |
|----------|---------------------------------|--------------------------------|-----------------|---------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|        1 | Ahmednagar (Culture & Heritage) | Development of Ahmednagar Fort | 2024-25         |                              25 |                               2.5 |

|   S. No. | Name of the Project                                                                | Sanction Year   |   Sanctioned Cost (₹ in Crore) | Amount Released (₹ in Crore)   |
|----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
|        1 | INS-Guldar Underwater Museum, Artificial Reef, and submarine Tourism in Sindhudurg | 2024-25         |                          46.91 | 96.39                          |
|        2 | Development of RAM-KAL PATH in Nashik                                              | 2024-25         |                          99.14 |                                |

|   S. No. | Name of the Project                         | Sanction Year   |   Amount Sanctioned ( ₹ in Crore) |   Amount Authorised ( ₹ in Crore) |
|----------|---------------------------------------------|-----------------|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|        1 | Development of Kanoji Angre Lighthouse as a | 2016-17         |                                15 |                                15 |

|    | tourist Destination                                                                           |         |       |       |
|----|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|-------|-------|
|  2 | Up-gradation/ modernization to International Cruise terminal at Indira Dock, Mumbai.          | 2017-18 | 12.5  | 12.5  |
|  3 | Upgradation/ Modernization to International Cruise Terminal at Indira Dock, Mumbai Port Trust | 2021-22 | 37.5  | 30    |
|  4 | Nanded Railway Station                                                                        | 2016-17 |  5.18 |  2.59 |
|  5 | Aurangabad Railway Station                                                                    | 2017-18 |  5.71 |  2.85 |
|  6 | Manufacture of 3 Glass Top Coaches: (Route Dadar-Madgaon, Mumbai to Goa)                      | 2017-18 |  4    |  4    |

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