: Guruvayur, where the Sreekrishna temple is located, has been included in the Union Tourism Ministry’s Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality Augmentation Drive (PRASAD).
Of the eight centres shortlisted by the Centre for inclusion in the PRASAD scheme this year, only Guruvayur figures from south India.
Minister for Tourism A.C. Moideen said inclusion of the temple town under the scheme would fetch Guruvayur a place on the pilgrim map and attract devotees from all over the world.
The works will be completed within a timeframe, the Tourism Minister said.
Overall development of the temple town, new job creation, world-class infrastructure facilities, promotion of local arts, cuisine and handicrafts form part of the approved project.
InfrastructureDevelopment of roads, new streetlights and improvement of drinking water supply will also be taken up. Protection of the monument, toilet facilities, rest rooms, watchtower, open-air theatres, rain shelters and primary health centres are other priorities.
Modern communication facilities, including Wi-Fi, will be set up at Guruvayur. The Minister said the inclusion of the temple town in the scheme would also result in increase in tourists to State.