Prez Murmu opens Srisailam devp project

NT Correspondent

President of India Droupadi Murmu (in pic) on Monday inaugurated the “Development of Srisailam Temple in the State of Andhra Pradesh” project at Srisailam temple complex in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.

The project has been sanctioned and implemented under national mission of PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) of tourism ministry at the Centre.

“The project has been completed at a cost of Rs 43.08 crores. It has been fully funded by the Ministry of Tourism. The components executed in the project include amphitheatre, illuminations, sound and light show, digital interventions, tourist amenity center, parking area, changing rooms, toilet complexes, souvenir shops, food court, ATM and banking facility. These components of the project are aimed at making Srisailam Temple a world class pilgrimage and tourist destinations by providing state-of-the-art facilities for visitors,” a Rashtrapati Bhawan press release stated.

The ‘PRASHAD’ is a central sector scheme being implemented with financial assistance from the Centre. The scheme is launched in 2014-15 with the vision of focused integrated infrastructure development to harness pilgrimage and heritage tourism destinations for its direct and multiplier effect upon employment generation and economic development.

Srisailam Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati and the only temple in India significant to both Saivism and Shaktism. The presiding deity of the place is Brahmaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy in natural stone formations in the shape of Lingam and is considered one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas of the Goddess, Parvati.

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.

Governor of Telangana Tamilisai Soundararajan, Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of State for Tourism Shripad Y Naik, Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister and minister for endowments Kottu Satyanarayana, minister for Tourism, Culture and Youth Advancement R. K. Roja, Minister for Finance, Planning & Legislative Affairs Buggana Rajendranath, Secretary (Tourism) Arvind Singh and other important dignitaries were present on the occasion. – PTI