Chamundi Hills

Why in news?

• The citizens’ committee to save Chamundi Hills and its environment has resolved to press for clearance from the heritage committee before the implementation of development works at the hill top under Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)

About Chamundi Hills:

• Chamundi Hill is located in Mysore, Karnataka.
• The famous Chamundeswari Temple is located in the hills.
  • The temple was named after Chamundeshwari or, the fierce form of Shakti.
• Karanji lake is the most popular lake in Chamundi Hills.

About PRASHAD Scheme:

• The ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive’ (PRASAD) was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in the year 2014-15 with the objective of holistic development of identified pilgrimage destinations.
• The name of the scheme was changed from PRASAD to “National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)” in October 2017.
• After the discontinuation of the HRIDAY scheme of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the development of Heritage destinations was included in the PRASAD Scheme, changing it to PRASHAD.
• Under the PRASHAD Scheme, several religious cities/sites in have been identified for development such as Amaravati and Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh), Kamakhya (Assam), Parasuram Kund (Lohit District, Arunachal Pradesh), Patna and Gaya (Bihar), etc.
• The projects identified under this scheme shall be implemented through the identified agencies by the respective State/ Union Territory Government.
• The Central Government provides 100% funding for the project components undertaken for public funding.
• This scheme seeks to leverage the voluntary funding available for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for improved sustainability of the projects under this scheme.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Consider the following pairs:

1. Chamundeswari Temple   : Karnataka

2. Ramappa Temple              : Tamil Nadu

3. Bhadrachalam Group of Temples : Telangana

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1,2 and 3

Answer