PRASAD Scheme: A Comprehensive Guide

Pilgrimage tourism has been a vital aspect of Indian culture and tradition for centuries. With millions of devotees visiting various religious sites every year, the Indian government has taken the initiative to improve the infrastructure and facilities at these pilgrimage destinations through the PRASAD scheme.

What is PRASAD Scheme?

PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) is a flagship scheme launched by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, with the objective of developing pilgrimage destinations across the country. The scheme aims to provide better infrastructure and facilities to the pilgrims, including clean drinking water, sanitation, and proper road connectivity, among others. The scheme also focuses on the conservation and rejuvenation of these pilgrimage sites and their surrounding areas.

1. Benefits of PRASAD Scheme:

The PRASAD scheme offers several benefits to both the pilgrims and the local communities. Some of the key benefits of the scheme are:

A. Improved Infrastructure:

The scheme aims to provide better infrastructure facilities, such as clean drinking water, proper sanitation, road connectivity, and improved parking facilities, among others, to enhance the overall experience of the pilgrims.

B. Conservation and Rejuvenation:

The scheme focuses on the conservation and rejuvenation of the pilgrimage sites and their surrounding areas to maintain their cultural and spiritual significance.

C. Boost to Local Economy:

The scheme aims to boost the local economy by promoting tourism and creating employment opportunities for the local communities.

D. Better facilities for Pilgrims:

The scheme provides better facilities for the pilgrims, including comfortable accommodations, better medical facilities, and improved food and beverage services, among others.

2. Functions of PRASAD:

The PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) scheme has several functions that aim to improve the infrastructure and facilities at pilgrimage destinations in India. These functions are:

A. Development of infrastructure:

The scheme focuses on developing the infrastructure at pilgrimage destinations, such as improving road connectivity, providing clean drinking water and proper sanitation, and improving parking facilities, among others.

B. Conservation and Rejuvenation:

The scheme aims to conserve and rejuvenate the cultural and spiritual significance of the pilgrimage sites and their surrounding areas. This includes activities such as restoring heritage structures, developing green spaces, and improving the ambiance of the pilgrimage destinations.

C. Promoting Tourism:

The PRASAD scheme aims to promote tourism by improving the infrastructure and facilities at the pilgrimage destinations, thereby attracting more tourists and boosting the local economy.

D. Improving facilities for pilgrims:

The scheme provides better facilities for pilgrims, including comfortable accommodations, better medical facilities, and improved food and beverage services, among others.

E. Supporting Local Communities:

The PRASAD scheme aims to support local communities by creating employment opportunities and promoting entrepreneurship in the tourism sector.

F. Encouraging Private Participation:

The scheme encourages private participation in the development of pilgrimage destinations, thereby providing an opportunity for private entities to contribute to the development of these sites.

In conclusion, the PRASAD scheme has several functions that aim to improve the infrastructure and facilities at pilgrimage destinations in India, conserve the cultural and spiritual significance of these sites, promote tourism, and support local communities.

3. Eligible Components of PRASAD Scheme:

The eligible components of the PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) scheme are:

A. Development of basic amenities:

This includes the development of infrastructure facilities such as clean drinking water, proper sanitation, road connectivity, and improved parking facilities, among others.

B. Heritage Conservation and Rejuvenation:

This component focuses on conserving and rejuvenating the cultural and spiritual significance of the pilgrimage sites and their surrounding areas, including restoring heritage structures, developing green spaces, and improving the ambiance of the pilgrimage destinations.

C. Tourism facilities:

This component aims to improve the tourism facilities at the pilgrimage destinations, including the development of accommodations, food and beverage services, medical facilities, and other tourist-related amenities.

D. Development of Religious Tourism Circuit:

This component focuses on developing religious tourism circuits that connect various pilgrimage destinations and provide a comprehensive experience to the tourists.

E. Promotion and Publicity:

This component aims to promote and publicize the pilgrimage destinations to attract more tourists and boost the local economy.

F. Capacity Building and Skill Development:

This component aims to build the capacity and develop the skills of the local communities, including training in hospitality and tourism-related activities, and promoting entrepreneurship in the tourism sector.

In conclusion, the PRASAD scheme has several eligible components that aim to improve the infrastructure and facilities at pilgrimage destinations, conserve their cultural and spiritual significance, promote tourism, and support local communities. The components of the scheme aim to provide a comprehensive experience to the tourists and contribute to the development of these destinations.