Srisailam to blend spirituality and sustainability as 'Divya Kshetram’

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced plans to formulate a comprehensive master plan for transforming Srisailam into a "Divya Kshetram," or divine pilgrimage site, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit on October 16, 2025. The initiative aims to elevate the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, a revered Jyotirlinga and Shakti Peetha into a world-class spiritual, tourism, and eco-friendly hub, modeled after the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.

During a high-level review meeting at his camp office in Amaravati on October 5, Naidu directed Endowments and Forest Department officials to prioritize devotee facilities without compromising the Nallamala forest ecosystem. Key proposals include requesting the Centre to allocate 2,000 hectares of forest land to the Srisailam Devasthanam for expanded infrastructure, such as improved parking, accommodation, and pathways, catering to the surging influx of pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and beyond. Connectivity enhancements, including links to national highways near Dornala, Sundipenta, and Eagalapenta, were emphasized to ease access for lakhs of annual visitors.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, overseeing the Forest portfolio, urged studying development models from Sabarimala and other forest-based temples to inform planning, stressing inter-departmental coordination among Endowments, Forest, and Tourism for beautification, sanitation, and crowd management. He highlighted the urgent need for upgrades, given the rising devotee numbers and current shortages like inadequate parking.

Naidu plans to discuss the blueprint directly with Modi, who is expected to inaugurate key projects during his visit, including a roadshow in Kurnool and prayers at the temple. Temple officials also seek Rs 1,657 crore in central assistance for initiatives like bridge construction to Rudra Park and pond development. The state aims to preserve the Srisailam Tiger Reserve while boosting religious tourism.

This development push builds on prior efforts, including a ministerial committee formed earlier for Nallamala tourism. However, the visit follows recent hoax bomb threats in the state, underscoring security concerns. Overall, the strategy positions Srisailam as a sustainable model for balancing heritage, environment, and economy.