Arasavalli Sun temple in Andhra’s Srikakulam to get ₹55.74 crore under Swadesh Darshan 2.0

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The Arasavalli temple and its surroundings, where a sun experience centre, a dome over the sun deck and other works are planned under the scheme. | Photo Credit: V.Raju

The famous Sun God temple at Arasavalli in Srikakulam district is expected to get more facilities soon, after the Union Ministry of Tourism included the temple in the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme. The Union government selected 57 destinations across the country and sanctioned funds for 17 of them.

The Centre will provide ₹55.74 crore under the scheme for developmental activities in and around the temple. An Arasavalli Sun Experience Centre, a dome structure on the sun deck area, a restaurant block, a shopping area near the temple, supporting infrastructure, landscaping, an open-air theatre, Nagavali riverfront development, protection of a Dutch heritage structure and others would be taken up with the sanctioned funds.

☀️ Great News for Srikakulam. Under Swadesh Darshan 2.0, ₹55.74 Crore has been sanctioned for the development of the historic Arasavalli Suryanarayana Swamy Temple.This is a major step towards strengthening Arasavalli as a prominent spiritual and tourism destination and… pic.twitter.com/JP9WlPc59y

At the suggestion of Union Minister for Civil Aviation K. Rammohan Naidu, Srikakulam Collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar and tourism officials had prepared a detailed project report for the inclusion of the Arasavalli temple in the scheme. After a thorough verification, the Centre announced that spiritual tourism would be developed at the Sun God temple. In a press release, Mr. Rammohan Naidu said the developmental activities to be taken up at Arasavalli under the project would make the temple’s importance known in every corner of the country. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat for their support.

Devotees at the entrance of the Sri Suryanarayana Swamy temple at Arasavalli in Srikakulam district, which has been included in the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme. | Photo Credit: V.Raju

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Pundkar said the scheme would boost spiritual tourism in the district, and more pilgrims were likely to come from different parts of the country once facilities improved.

When contacted, Srikakulam Tourism Officer N. Narayana Rao said Srikurmam, Srimukhalingam and other temples would also see large numbers of pilgrims in the future, since pilgrims visit them after darshan of the presiding deity, Sri Suryanarayana Swamy, at Arasavalli, 2 km from Srikakulam.

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