Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, presented Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a photo frame of the sacred Mata Tripura Sundari Temple and its redeveloped premises, highlighting the transformation of the ancient Shakti Peetha under the central government's PRASAD Scheme. The gesture underscored the growing religious tourism footfall at the Udaipur, Tripura site, which has been drawing devotees and visitors from across the country.

Context

In his post, Dr. Manik Saha described himself as 'fortunate' to present the photo frame to the Prime Minister, noting that the temple is 'now drawing devotees and tourists from across the nation for Mata's darshan, strengthening its spiritual and cultural significance.' The Mata Tripura Sundari Temple, located in Udaipur in southern Tripura, is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas revered in Hindu tradition and has long been a major pilgrimage destination in the Northeast.

The presentation appears to have taken place during a meeting between the Chief Minister and the Prime Minister, reflecting the state government's effort to showcase development outcomes to the central leadership. Such exchanges also serve as a channel for states to highlight the on-ground impact of centrally sponsored schemes.

Policy Backdrop

The PRASAD Scheme — Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive — was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in 2014-15 with the objective of developing and beautifying pilgrimage destinations across India. The scheme funds infrastructure upgrades including entry plazas, pathways, lighting, sanitation, and visitor amenities at identified religious sites, integrating them into the national tourism grid.

The redevelopment of the Mata Tripura Sundari Temple precinct under this scheme represents one of the scheme's interventions in the Northeastern region, where improving the visibility and accessibility of cultural and religious heritage sites has been a stated policy priority. Across India, the PRASAD Scheme has covered dozens of sites, from major pilgrimage towns to relatively lesser-known regional centres, as part of a broader push to promote domestic tourism and heritage conservation.

Stakeholders and Impact

The primary beneficiaries of the temple's redevelopment are the devotees and pilgrims who visit for the darshan of Mata Tripura Sundari, as well as the local communities in and around Udaipur whose livelihoods are linked to the pilgrimage economy — including shopkeepers, priests, transport operators, and hospitality providers. Improved facilities typically translate into longer visitor stays and higher per-visitor spending, with a multiplier effect on the local economy.

For Tripura as a state, enhanced visibility of its premier religious site feeds into a wider tourism strategy. The Northeast, historically underrepresented in India's mainstream tourism narrative, stands to gain from such projects that place its cultural assets on the national map and encourage inbound travel from other states.

What's Next

The spotlight on the Mata Tripura Sundari Temple's transformation is likely to encourage further advocacy for PRASAD and related scheme coverage for other religious and heritage sites in Tripura and neighbouring northeastern states. Tourism ministry updates on scheme outcomes, as well as any fresh allocations under PRASAD for the region, will be closely watched by state governments and local stakeholders alike.

As domestic pilgrimage tourism continues its post-pandemic recovery and expansion, projects like the Tripura Sundari precinct redevelopment signal the central government's sustained interest in weaving together cultural heritage, infrastructure investment, and regional development into a single policy narrative.