Punaura Dham

Punaura Dham

Part of: Prelims and GS-I Culture 

Context: As per the request received from the State Government of Bihar, Ministry of Tourism has included Punaura Dham in the Ramayana circuit of Swadesh Darshan Scheme. 

• The destination of Punaura Dham has been recently included under PRASHAD Scheme of the Ministry of Tourism.
• Punaura Dham, considered to be the birthplace of Hindu Goddess Sita.
• The shrine compound has a Ram Janki temple, a pond called Sita Kund and a hall.

PRASHAD Scheme

• The ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive’ (PRASAD).
• Launched by: Ministry of Tourism (2014-15).
• It was changed from PRASAD to “National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)” in October 2017.
• Objective: 
  • Holistic development of identified pilgrimage destinations; 
  • Rejuvenation and spiritual augmentation of important pilgrimage and heritage sites; 
  • Follow community-based development and create awareness among the local communities;
  • Strengthen the mechanism for bridging the infrastructural gaps.

Swadesh Darshan Scheme

• It is a Central Sector Scheme launched in 2014 -15.
• Objective: 
  • Integrated development of theme based tourist circuits in the country; 
  • To position the tourism sector as a major engine for job creation
• The Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for infrastructure development of circuits.

News Source: TOI