Why in news? President of India inaugurated the project “Development of Srisailam Temple in the State of Andhra Pradesh” at Srisailam Temple Complex, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.

Highlights

• The components executed in the project include interventions like Amphitheatre, Illuminations and Sound and Light Show, Digital Interventions, Tourist Amenity Center, parking area, Changing rooms, Toilet Complexes, Souvenir Shops, Food court, ATM & Banking Facility
• Aim: To make Srisailam Temple a world class pilgrimage and tourist destination
• Project is undertaken under The ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive’ (PRASHAD) is a Central Sector Scheme with complete financial assistance by the Central Government

About Srisailam temple

• Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati and the only temple in India significant to both Saivism and Shaktism
• Location : Andhra Pradesh
• It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva and as one of the eighteen Shakti Peethas, centres of the Hindu Goddess.

History :

• Inscriptional evidence from the Satavahana dynasty and modern additions were done during the time of king Harihara I of Vijayanagara Empire.

Architecture

• Houses four gateway towers known as gopurams
• Mukha Mandapa built during the Vijayanagar period.
• A mirror hall in the first precinct has images of Nataraja.

Religious significance

• Apart from being one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and Shakti Peethas of India, the temple is also classified as one of the Paadal Petra Sthalam.
• The idol of Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi are thought to be ‘Swayambhu’ or self-manifested, and the unique combination of Jyothirlingam and Mahasakthi in one complex is one-of-a-kind.
• Krishna River here is called Patal Ganga.

PRASAD(Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual Augmentation Drive)

• Launched in the year:  2014-2015
• Parent Organization : Ministry of Tourism
• Focus: Developing and identifying pilgrimage sites across India for enriching the religious tourism experience
• Aim: Integrate pilgrimage destinations in a prioritised, planned and sustainable manner to provide a complete religious tourism experience.

Funding :

• Central Government provides 100% funding
• Leverage the voluntary funding available for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for improved sustainability

Cities Identified Under PRASAD Scheme

• Amritsar (Punjab).
• Kedarnath (Uttarakhand).
• Mathura (Uttar Pradesh).
• Ajmer (Rajasthan).
• Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh).
• Gaya (Bihar).
• Kamakhya (Assam).
• Dwaraka (Gujarat).
• Puri (Odisha).
• Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh).
• Kanchipuram(Tamil Nadu).
• Velankanni (Tamil Nadu).