Press Information Bureau

 

Introduction

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has often spoken of tourism as a bridge between heritage and development, with spiritual tourism holding a special place in his vision for India’s growth. Pilgrimage sites are not just centres of faith, but living symbols of culture and community, and under initiatives like the PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) Scheme, many of them have been given a new lease of life. By upgrading facilities, improving connectivity, and preserving the sanctity of these sacred spaces, the government has sought to make spiritual journeys more fulfilling while also fostering economic growth in local communities. It is this approach—where devotion meets development—that has redefined the pilgrim experience across the country.

Carrying this vision forward, the Prime Minister will be in Tripura on 22ndSeptember, 2025 to perform pooja and darshan, and inaugurate the redeveloped Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur town of Gomati district[2], one of the 51 revered Shakti Peethas[3]. Known for its ancient sanctity and immense cultural value, the temple perched atop a hillock in Tripura’s capital city Agartala, has been revitalised under the PRASHAD scheme with modern amenities and improved infrastructure. The inauguration marks a significant moment for the Northeast, placing Tripura firmly on India’s spiritual tourism map and reinforcing how heritage-led development can both preserve tradition and inspire progress.

Tripura Sundari Temple: A Shakti Peeth of National Importance

The Tripura Sundari Temple, fondly known as Matabari, is one of the most sacred landmarks of Northeast India and an enduring emblem of Tripura’s cultural and spiritual heritage. Established in 1501 A.D. by Maharaja DhanyaManikya, it holds a distinguished place among the 51 Shakti Peethas of the subcontinent. As legend recounts, this was the site where the right foot of Goddess Sati fell during Lord Shiva’s tandava dance, instilling the land with divine sanctity.

Source: Incredible India and Tripura Tourism

Architecturally, the shrine reflects simplicity and grace. Its square plan and sloping roof echo the style of rural Bengal huts, blending local aesthetics with spiritual symbolism. The Tripura Sundari Temple is also revered as Kurma Pith, for its base shaped like the hump of a tortoise—an auspicious symbol of stability and endurance in Hindu tradition. This sacred association is deepened by the adjoining Kalyan Sagar lake, where tortoises are cherished by devotees as living emblems of the site’s sanctity.Within the sanctum rest two idols—the principal deity, Goddess Tripura Sundari, a five-foot idol worshipped as the presiding mother, and an idol, smaller in size, known as Chhoto-Ma or Goddess Chandi. This smaller idol once held special significance for the Tripura kings, who carried it on hunting expeditions and into battles as a divine talisman of protection and fortune.

Deeply woven into the identity of the state itself, the name Tripura is believed to derive from Goddess Tripura Sundari. The temple thus stands not only as a site of devotion but also as a cultural anchor.[4] The temple is managed by a state-appointed committee with the Mata Tripura Sundari Temple Trust guiding its long-term development.

Celebrated as a symbol of syncretism, it unites Shaktism, Vaishnavism, and diverse communities, with Hindus, Muslims, and tribal groups all participating in its rituals. Beyond its spiritual role, the temple remains a cornerstone of Tripura’s cultural and social life, recognised nationally for its architectural, historical, and religious importance.

PRASHAD Scheme

Vision and Purpose

The Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) was launched by the Ministry of Tourism to enable tourist convenience, accessibility, security and cleanliness. The Scheme also aims to preserve the soul of the pilgrimage/heritage city through integrated, inclusive, and sustainable developments that would promote employment opportunities for the local communities.

Objectives

The scheme funds a wide range of works including[5]:

Implementation Approach

PRASHAD is a Central Sector Scheme, financed by the Central Government. Projects are selected based on cultural significance, tourist footfall, and development potential, ensuring representation across states. Plans are prepared in consultation with state governments and local stakeholders to ensure sustainability and community benefit.

Outcomes and Impact

By blending heritage conservation with modern amenities, the scheme has transformed pilgrimage destinations into holistic centres of faith, culture, and economy. It has created new opportunities for tourism-linked livelihoods while reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Vikas Bhi, VirasatBhi” — development alongside heritage as a vital step towards the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047.

These projects span a wide range of pilgrimage and heritage sites, from ancient temples and Sufi shrines to Buddhist monasteries and historic towns. Together, they highlight the scheme’s commitment to creating world-class spiritual tourism hubs while ensuring balanced regional development[6].

Specific interventions at Tripura Sundari Temple:

The Tripura Sundari Temple is undergoing a major redevelopment under the central government’s PRASHAD scheme. Sanctioned in 2020–21 with an outlay of ₹34.43 crore[7] and managed by the Ministry of Tourism, the project represents a comprehensive effort to rejuvenate the shrine and its surroundings, enhancing both its religious significance and its role as a hub for spiritual tourism in Tripura.

The redevelopment has gone beyond the preservation of the temple structure to deliver a holistic facelift. In the main temple area, new facilities include a food court, multipurpose halls, Bhog and Prasad Ghar, pooja shops, modern toilets, and temple illumination. Surrounding infrastructure has also been modernised, with sewage and water supply systems, an underground tank, storm water drains, landscaping and vertical plantations, signage, solar PV power system, an external gate, electrical works, and upgraded public conveniences such as toilets and change rooms.

As of September 2025, around 80% of the work has been completed, with the project under final stages of implementation. Installments released so far amount to ₹28.01 crore, and the shrine is scheduled to be formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 22, 2025. A key highlight of the wider development is the creation of a 51 Shakti Peethas Park near the temple, featuring replicas of all 51 sacred sites, designed to attract devotees and cultural tourists alike.

 

Together, these upgrades are positioning the centuries-old Shakti Peetha as a world-class spiritual destination, safeguarding Tripura’s rich cultural heritage while boosting livelihoods, strengthening tourism infrastructure, and improving visitor facilities for devotees from across India and neighbouring countries.

Broader Impact on Tripura and Northeast India

The PRASHAD scheme is playing a pivotal role in unlocking the spiritual and economic potential of the North-Eastern Region (NER). By integrating infrastructure upgrades with heritage conservation, it is already helping turn pilgrimage destinations into engines of tourism-led growth. The region’s growing appeal is evident: domestic visitor numbers have surged, homestays in villages are rising, employment for young guides is expanding, and the overall tour and travel ecosystem is getting stronger. Importantly, Prime Minister Modi has emphasised in recent forums that eco-tourism, cultural tourism, and heritage renovations are not just about numbers—they translate directly into jobs, local enterprise, and sustainable livelihoods.

The journey of PRASHAD in the North-East began nearly a decade ago with the upgradation of Assam’s iconic Kamakhya Temple in 2015–16, setting the tone for heritage-led development in the region. Since then, projects have steadily expanded across states, like Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh, with the latest in 2024–25 at Vangchhia in Mizoram, reflecting how the scheme continues to evolve and embrace new sites of cultural and spiritual significance[8].

S No.	State	Project Name	Sanction Year
1	Assam	Development of Kamakhya Temple and Pilgrimage Destination in and around Guwahati.	2015-16
2	Nagaland	Development of Pilgrimage Infrastructure in Nagaland	2018-19
3	Meghalaya	Development of Pilgrimage Facilitation in Meghalaya	2020-21
4	Arunachal Pradesh	Development of ParshuramKund, LohitDistt.	2020-21
5	Sikkim	Development of Pilgrimage Facilitation at Four Patron Saints, Yuksom	2020-21
6	Tripura	Development of Tripura Sundari Temple, Udaipur	2020-21
7	Mizoram	Development of Infrastructure for Pilgrimage and Heritage Tourism in the State of Mizoram	2022-23
8	Nagaland	Development of Pilgrimage Tourism Infrastructure at Zunheboto	2022-23
9	Mizoram	Development of Basic Amenities under PRASHAD scheme in Vangchhia, Champhai district	2024-25

Conclusion

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has often described the North-East as a “complete package for tourism,” guided by the vision of E-A-S-T—Empower, Act, Strengthen, Transform. This transformation is being driven by investments in modern highways, rail networks, airports, waterways, and digital infrastructure, all of which instill confidence among visitors and investors alike[9].

 

The redevelopment of the Tripura Sundari Temple reflects this vision in action. A centuries-old Shakti Peetha, renewed with modern amenities while preserving its sanctity, it now stands not only as a spiritual beacon but also as a source of local prosperity. For the wider region, such projects illustrate how heritage-led development can become a pathway to sustainable livelihoods, thriving enterprises, and a deeper sense of shared pride.

At the heart of this approach lies the PRASHAD scheme, whose purpose extends beyond the physical upgradation of shrines to the creation of an integrated ecosystem of pilgrimage tourism. By enriching cultural experiences while strengthening local economies, PRASHAD is giving new significance to Tripura and the entire North-East, ensuring that sites of faith are both preserved for posterity and reimagined as engines of development.

“Tripura Sundari Temple: A New Dawn for Spiritual Tourism in the North-East”

******

SK/RK

(Backgrounder ID: 155254)
Provide suggestions / comments