- The ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive’ (PRASAD) was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in the year 2014-15 with the objective of holistic development of identified pilgrimage destinations.
- The scheme’s name was changed from PRASAD to “National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)” in October 2017.
- After discontinuing the HRIDAY scheme, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the development of Heritage destinations was included in the PRASAD Scheme, changing it to PRASHAD.
- Under the PRASHAD Scheme, several religious cities/sites have been identified for development such as Amaravati and Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh), Kamakhya (Assam), Parasuram Kund (Lohit District, Arunachal Pradesh), Patna and Gaya (Bihar), etc.
- Implementation Agency: The projects identified under this scheme shall be implemented through the identified agencies by the respective State/ Union Territory Government.
- Funding Mechanism: The Central Government provides 100% funding for the project components undertaken for public funding.
- This scheme seeks to leverage the voluntary funding available for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for improved sustainability of the projects under this scheme.
The objectives of the PRASHAD scheme are as follows:
- Harness pilgrimage tourism for its multiplier and direct effect on employment generation and economic development.
- Follow the pro-poor tourism concept and community-based development in the development of the pilgrimage destinations.
- Leveraging public expertise and capital.
- Enhance tourist attractiveness sustainably by developing world-class infrastructure in religious destinations.
- Create awareness amongst the local communities about the importance of tourism for them in terms of improved living standards, increase in sources of income, and overall development of the area.
- Promote local culture, arts, cuisine, handicrafts, etc., to generate livelihood in the identified places.
