Khiching temple at Odisha included in PRASHAD scheme

BHUBANESWAR: Two temples in Odisha have been identified to be developed under the National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD).

While the Ministry of Tourism had earlier selected Chausathi Yogini at Ranipur-Jharial in Balangir to be developed under the PRASHAD scheme, it has now included Maa Kichakeswari in Khiching, Mayurbhanj under it.

Officials said under the scheme, focus will primarily be on pilgrimage facilitation and development of tourism infrastructure and pilgrim amenities at the two temples. Amenities would include parking, pathways, toilets, illumination, tourist information centres, among others. This will also provide employment to local residents in sectors like hospitality, tour guiding and transportation. The ministry, though, is yet to earmark funds for the purpose.

In Mayurbhanj, the Khiching temple gets the maximum tourist footfall round the year. According to the Tourism department’s last statistical report of 2022, the temple had got 1.5 lakh domestic tourists. Similarly, the temple at Ranipur-Jharial in 2022 received 79,535 domestic tourists while the number was 74,235 in 2021. While Khiching temple has amenities for tourists, there is none at the Ranipur-Jharial. The Chausathi Yogini temple is currently under the protection of ASI.