Tourism dept to upgrade facilities at Hampi under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme
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Hampi (Vijayanagara): State tourism department, backed by the funding of the Union tourism ministry, plans to upgrade essential facilities at Hampi, a World Heritage Site, through the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme.
This upgraded version of the Union govt's tourism initiative focuses on creating sustainable tourism destinations, with Hampi selected as one of the sites. The scheme intends to improve visitors' experiences through various interventions, including infrastructure upgrades and service enhancements.
Tourism department deputy director Prabhulinga S Talakeri confirmed that Vijayanagara district received approval for the detailed project report-1 submitted for the development of Hampi in the initial phase, with tenders being finalised.
The necessary no-objection certificates (NOC) were secured from relevant departments, and site assessments are complete.
The anticipated cost for Hampi's all-encompassing development as part of Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme is Rs 24 crore. According to deputy commissioner MS Diwakar, this innovative plan will involve the creation of 20 tourist attractions (Travellers Nook) divided into three categories — Imperial, Royal, and Noble.
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"Attention will be directed towards improving the essential amenities at the site, ensuring that the various needs of tourists, including toilets, bathrooms, and child care, are prioritised," he remarked.
Travellers' Nooks will be established near various locations, including Hampi gram panchayat parking, Vijaya Vittala Temple, Hosapete railway station, Krishna Temple, Chandrashekhar Temple, Sri Virupaksheshwara Temple, Tungabhadra reservoir, KSRTC bus stand, Galemma Temple, Anjanadri Hills, Anegondi, Kamalapur, Kaddirampur, Lotus Mahal, deputy commissioner's office, Freedom Park, Bukkasagar, Jambunathaswamy Temple, Nagappa Temple, Kampa Bhupa Road, and Sasivekalu Ganesha Temple.
The district administration additionally plans to implement 'Dasoha' (community feeding) for visitors and devotees at Hampi. Plans include constructing a 'Prasada Mantap' (community kitchen) styled after Hampi's architectural heritage.
The World Heritage Site receives thousands of daily visitors, including tourists and devotees. Significant crowds gather during special occasions and festivals, including new moon and full moon days, to bathe in theTungabhadra River and visit Sri Virupaksheshwara Temple.
The DC said all these individuals are facing challenges in securing food. In light of this, the Hindu religious endowments department developed a plan to establish a system that will offer free meals to both devotees and tourists, with an estimated cost of Rs 8 crore.
Under the DC's supervision, Sri Virupaksheshwara Temple CEO Hanumanthappa prepared a DPR and identified space for the Prasad Mantap's construction opposite Hampi gram panchayat parking area. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) approved the building's construction, with work commencing shortly.
It is believed that these initiatives will increase Hampi's status as a desirable tourist spot.
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