Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality Augmenattion Drive

The National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) was launched by the government of India under the Ministry of Tourism. It was launched in the year 2014-15. The name of this scheme was changed from PRASAD to PRASHAD in October 2017, which stands for National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive. Like the PRASAD scheme, the Government of India has launched various other schemes to promote the economic and social welfare of the citizens of India, such as – Ayushman Bharat and PM Garib Kalyan Yojana.

Prasad Scheme

• The Ministry of Tourism released the PRASAD scheme.
• It focuses on pilgrim sites all over the country to enrich and enhance the experience of religious tourism more effectively.
• It pays attention to the strategy which aims for integrated growth and sacred spots.
• It focuses on identifying and developing pilgrimage sites for enriching the religious tourism experience.
• It focuses on the beautification of identified pilgrimage destinations under the HRIDAY scheme. 

Cities Under the PRASAD Scheme

Pilgrimage destinations in India that are covered under the PRASAD scheme are as follows:

1. Kamakhya (Assam)
2. Gaya (Bihar)
3. Ajmer (Rajasthan)
4. Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh)
5. Dwaraka (Gujarat) 
6. Mathura (Uttar Pradesh)
7. Puri (Odisha)
8. Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu)
9. Kedarnath (Uttarakhand)
10. Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)
11. Velankanni (Tamil Nadu)
12. Amritsar (Punjab)

Objectives of Prasad Scheme 

• Prasad scheme aims to follow community-based development.
• To create awareness among the local people and communities. 
• To enhance tourism attractiveness sustainably.
• To develop the infrastructure of religious destinations properly.
• To promote the local activities such as handicrafts and art and culture of the local community.
• To generate employment and promote economic development by tackling pilgrimage tourism. 
• To follow the pro-poor tourism concept for developing pilgrimage destinations in India.
• To follow the approach of community-based development for developing the pilgrimage sites.
• To develop the infrastructure that includes the development of lightning and illumination based on renewable energy sources.
• To promote the development using eco-friendly modes of transport and all the basic amenities such as waiting rooms, toilets, cafeteria, telecom facilities, rain shelters, internet connectivity, etc.
• To develop basic tourism facilities such as water transport, road and rail transport ATMs, etc.

Fundings of Prasad Scheme

• The Ministry of Tourism has set up a mission directorate to implement the PRASAD scheme.
• The Ministry of Tourism provides Central financial assistance to state governments to promote the tourism of the pilgrimage destinations. 
• The central government will provide 100% funds.
• The PRASAD project’s improved sustainability involves Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

Recent Updates on the PRASAD Scheme 

• The tourism facilitation Centre was launched at Guruvayur of Kerala by the Union Minister of State for tourism and culture on 4th November 2020.

Nagara and North Indian Temple Style 

• The style of temple architecture that has become popular in Northern India is the Nagara style, commonly known as North Indian Temple Style.
• The entire temple is constructed on a single stone platform that is reached through steps.
• This style of the temple has elaborate entrances and boundary walls. This comprises the unique feature of North India temple style as this feature is not much common in South India.
• According to the shape of the Shikhara, there are many subdivisions of the nagara temple.
• The garbhagriha of the temple is located directly under the tallest tower, the Shikhara.
• In the Nagara style of temple, Kalash (a stone or metal spire placed on the top of the temple) and Amlak (notched or segmented stone disk) are installed on the Shikhara (top) representing another characteristic feature of this temple style.
• Examples of Nagara style temples in India are the Sun Temple at Modhera, Ossian Temple (Gujarat), Sun Temple (Konark), etc.

Conclusion 

The National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) was launched in 2014-15 by the Government of India under the Ministry of Tourism. It focuses on pilgrim sites all over the country to enrich and enhance the experience of religious tourism more effectively. It pays attention to the strategy which aims for integrated growth and sacred spots. It focuses on identifying and developing pilgrimage sites for enriching the religious tourism experience. There are 12 pilgrimage destinations in India covered under the PRASAD scheme. The central government provides the funding under this scheme.