The PRASHAD scheme is funding ₹146.50 crore for pilgrimage and heritage works in Telangana, improving facilities at Jogulamba Devi Temple, Ramappa, Bhadrachalam and Renuka Yellamma.
Summary: The Union Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned ₹146.50 crore under the PRASHAD scheme for four pilgrimage and heritage projects in Telangana, with work completed at Jogulamba Devi Temple and ongoing upgrades at Ramappa, Bhadrachalam and Renuka Yellamma.
The Union Ministry of Tourism has allocated a total of ₹146.50 crore under the PRASHAD scheme to upgrade pilgrimage and heritage sites in Telangana, aiming to modernize amenities and preserve cultural assets for visitors.
Formal announcement in Rajya Sabha
Details of the Telangana projects were presented in the Rajya Sabha on February 5 by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, in response to a question from MP Anil Kumar Yadav Mandadi. The ministry said the PRASHAD scheme focuses on strengthening basic infrastructure at key pilgrimage and heritage locations to improve accessibility and visitor experience.
Completed: Jogulamba Devi Temple, Alampur
Among the four sanctioned projects, works at the Jogulamba Devi Temple in Alampur have been completed. The project was approved in the 2020-21 fiscal year with a sanctioned budget of ₹38.90 crore, of which ₹33.07 crore has been released to date to support completion of the works.
Major investment at the UNESCO-listed Ramappa Temple
A substantial portion of the remaining funding is directed to the Rudreshwara Temple, commonly known as the Ramappa Temple in Mulugu district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sanctioned in 2022-23, the project carries a budget of ₹62 crore, with ₹32.73 crore released so far. Restoration and infrastructure works are ongoing to align site facilities with its global status while conserving the 13th-century structure.
Progress at Bhadrachalam pilgrimage site
Work is also underway at Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri Kothagudem district. Approved during 2022-23, the Bhadrachalam project was sanctioned for ₹41.38 crore, with ₹8.43 crore released to support initial development phases that aim to better accommodate large numbers of devotees during peak events.
- Total PRASHAD allocation for Telangana: ₹146.50 crore
- Jogulamba Devi Temple (Alampur): ₹38.90 crore sanctioned; ₹33.07 crore released — project completed
- Rudreshwara/Ramappa Temple (Mulugu): ₹62 crore sanctioned; ₹32.73 crore released — works ongoing
- Bhadrachalam (Bhadradri Kothagudem): ₹41.38 crore sanctioned; ₹8.43 crore released — works in progress
- Goddess Renuka Yellamma Devasthanam: ₹4.22 crore sanctioned in 2024-25; no funds released yet
New project: Renuka Yellamma Devasthanam
The most recent sanction listed under the PRASHAD scheme for Telangana is for basic amenities at the Goddess Renuka Yellamma Devasthanam, approved in 2024-25 for ₹4.22 crore. According to the official update, no funds have been released for this project yet, though it is recorded as ongoing in planning and administrative phases.
Strategic objectives behind the investments
Beyond construction, the PRASHAD-supported works aim to enhance regional development by improving transport access, sanitation, visitor information facilities and conserving historical aesthetics. The ministry expects these measures to raise the standard of visitor services while protecting the cultural significance of the sites.
- Improve accessibility and transport links
- Upgrade sanitation and crowd management systems
- Establish visitor information centers and signage
- Restore and preserve historic architectural features
- Support local economies and employment through tourism
With one project complete and three in various stages of execution, the PRASHAD scheme's work in Telangana is an ongoing collaboration between the central and state governments intended to position the state more prominently for spiritual and heritage tourism.
Why this matters: For pilgrims and cultural tourists, these upgrades promise safer, more navigable sites and better visitor services. For the travel industry and local communities, improved infrastructure can support higher visitor numbers, more predictable festival management and potential growth in tourism-related employment—so what: travelers should expect enhanced on-site facilities and more reliable access when planning trips to these Telangana destinations.
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