Shekhawat sanctions ₹34.29 cr for Nellore temple under PRASHAD
Synopsis
Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat announced a ₹34.29 crore PRASHAD Scheme sanction for the Sri Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, aimed at upgrading pilgrimage infrastructure and conserving the ancient shrine's heritage.
Key Takeaways
₹34.29 crore sanctioned under the PRASHAD Scheme for the Sri Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh .
The PRASHAD Scheme was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in 2014 to fund infrastructure at pilgrimage and heritage sites across India.
Sri Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is a significant regional pilgrimage centre dedicated to Lord Narasimha in coastal Andhra Pradesh.
The announcement was made by Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on 29 September 2026 .
The sanction extends PRASHAD investments in Andhra Pradesh beyond its most prominent shrines to the broader state pilgrimage circuit.
A centuries-old pilgrimage site in coastal Andhra Pradesh is set for a major infrastructure overhaul. Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat announced on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, that ₹34.29 crore has been sanctioned under the central PRASHAD Scheme for the development of the revered Sri Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh.
PRASHAD funds reach Nellore's ancient Narasimha shrine
The Sri Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is one of the most prominent regional pilgrimage centres in Andhra Pradesh, dedicated to Lord Narasimha — the fierce avatar of Vishnu. Situated in Nellore district on the state's southeastern coast, the temple draws devotees from across the Telugu-speaking belt. The fresh central sanction is intended to upgrade visitor infrastructure, improve accessibility, and conserve the heritage fabric of the site.
The funds come through the PRASHAD Scheme — Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive — a Ministry of Tourism initiative launched in 2014 to channel central assistance into pilgrimage destinations nationwide. Since its inception, the scheme has supported upgrades at major religious sites across multiple states, positioning domestic pilgrimage tourism as a formal pillar of India's broader tourism economy.
A pattern of central investment in Andhra's spiritual circuit
Shekhawat's announcement is part of a wider pattern under which the current administration has deployed targeted heritage and pilgrimage schemes to upgrade facilities at religious sites across the country. Andhra Pradesh, home to some of India's most visited temples including the Tirumala Tirupati complex, has been a recurring focus of such investments. Nellore's inclusion in the PRASHAD pipeline signals a deliberate effort to extend the benefits of pilgrimage infrastructure spending beyond the state's most famous shrines to its wider spiritual circuit.
Posting on X, the Minister framed the sanction as part of a commitment to 'enhance pilgrimage infrastructure while preserving and celebrating India's timeless spiritual heritage' — a dual mandate of physical development and cultural continuity that has become a signature framing for the ministry's outreach under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The immediate question now is speed of execution: how quickly will the sanctioned funds translate into ground-level works at the Nellore temple, and whether the Andhra government moves swiftly to align state resources with the central grant. For the thousands of pilgrims who visit the Vedagiri shrine every year, the real test of this ₹34.29-crore sanction will be measured in widened pathways, cleaner facilities, and a safer, more dignified darshan experience.
Point of View
Allowing the Union government to demonstrate tangible delivery in states where it competes for influence. The dual framing of 'infrastructure development' and 'spiritual heritage preservation' is also notable — it positions the BJP-led Centre as both a moderniser and a custodian of tradition, a message calibrated carefully for the devout domestic voter. Watch whether the pace of fund utilisation at Nellore becomes a flashpoint between central and state governments, as has happened with earlier PRASHAD tranches.
NationPress
29 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PRASHAD Scheme in India?
The PRASHAD Scheme — Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive — is a central sector scheme of India's Ministry of Tourism, launched in 2014 to provide financial assistance for developing infrastructure at pilgrimage and heritage sites across the country.
How much money has been sanctioned for the Nellore temple?
₹34.29 crore has been sanctioned under the PRASHAD Scheme for the development of the Sri Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh.
Where is the Sri Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple located?
The Sri Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is located in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, and is a prominent regional pilgrimage centre dedicated to Lord Narasimha.
Who announced the PRASHAD funds for the Nellore temple?
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat announced the sanction of ₹34.29 crore for the Nellore temple on 29 September 2026.
Which other Andhra Pradesh temples have received PRASHAD funds?
While the PRASHAD Scheme has supported multiple pilgrimage sites in Andhra Pradesh, the Nellore sanction signals an effort to expand central pilgrimage investments beyond the state's most famous shrines. Specific details of all sanctioned sites would require checking Ministry of Tourism records.
