Bhadrachalam (Telangana): President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the development of pilgrimage facilities at Bhadrachalam group of temples under PRASHAD scheme at Bhadrachalam. Subsequently, she inaugurated Sammakka Saralamma Janjati Pujari Sammelan, organised by the Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad –Telangana at Bhadrachalam and virtually inaugurated Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) of the ministry of tribal affairs at Komaram Bheem Asifabad and Mahabubabad districts of Telangana.
Addressing the gathering, the President noted that the famous temples of Telangana are visited by lakhs of pilgrims. She said that out of domestic and foreign tourists, a large number is of pilgrims. In this way, pilgrimage tourism has a huge contribution in enhancing domestic tourism. Tourism increases the livelihood opportunities and income of the people and also strengthens the local economy. She appreciated the Ministry of Tourism for giving a boost to the spiritual and cultural tourism through the development of pilgrimage sites under the ‘PRASHAD’ scheme.
Noting that tribal people, especially from the Koya community, gather to offer prayers to Sammakka Saralamma. The President said that such festivals and gatherings strengthen social harmony. With these activities, our traditions continue to grow from generation to generation. She said that it is imperative to keep our culture, traditions and customs alive. This would also help to preserve our heritage. She appreciated the Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad, Telangana for organising this Sammelan. She was happy to note that the Parishad is constantly striving for the overall development of the forest dwellers.
The President said that active participation of women in all dimensions of progress is essential for the overall development of our society and country. She said that it is a matter of satisfaction that Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad is running development centers to take women forward in the direction of economic empowerment. Parishad is also organizing camps in tribal areas to raise awareness about rural development. She appreciated the Parishad for such welfare and developmental initiatives.
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The event at Bhadrachalam was graced by Telangana governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, Union tourism minister G Kishan Reddy, Telangana’s transport minister Puvvada Ajay Kumar and Mahabubabad member of paliament Maloth Kavitha
Temple development projects
The President later travelled to the Ramappa Temple in Mulugu district. The Ramappa temple of Lord Shiva, a perfect example of architectural brilliance, was built in 1213 AD by the Kakatiya rulers and has been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. This heritage temple attracts over 10 Lakh visitors every year and has a high visibility amongst the tourist circuit.
President Murmu inaugurated the project ‘Development of Pilgrimage and Heritage Infrastructure of UNESCO World Heritage Site at Rudreshwara Temple (Ramappa)’. This scheme, which was approved by the ministry of tourism, is estimated to cost ₹62 Crores. It aims to make Ramappa Temple, a world class pilgrimage and tourist destination, by providing state-of-the-art facilities for visitors while maintaining essence of heritage and tranquility of the site.
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Under the scheme, the 10 acre at Ramappa temple will have a an interpretation centre, 4-D movie hall, cloak rooms, waiting halls, first-aid room, food court, drinking water and toilet facilities, bus and car parking and souvenir shops.
An amphitheatre, sculpture park, flower garden, road developments, drinking water and toilet facilities, e-buggies facilities for senior citizens and divyaangjans would be created in a 27-acre campus. Besides, lake front of Ramappa temple will also be redeveloped.
