####MP Rawat urges inclusion of Rishabhdev, Idana Mata temples in PRASAD scheme

Udaipur: Udaipur MP Dr. Mannalal Rawat met Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in New Delhi on Monday and urged the Centre to include the Rishabhdev Temple at Kesariyaji and Idana Mata Temple under the PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) scheme.

Dr. Rawat told the minister that the Rishabhdev Temple is a historic, ancient and highly revered pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Rishabhdev, the first Jain Tirthankara, and is visited by both Jain and Hindu devotees with equal faith and devotion. He said the complex also houses temples of Lord Vishnu (Charbhuja Ji), Lord Shiva (Somnath) and Marudevi Mata, reflecting its inclusive cultural character. He added that the shrine preserves an approximately 800-year-old ceremonial chariot, which remains a major attraction during the annual Rath Yatra.

The MP said that despite attracting lakhs of devotees and tourists from India and abroad every year, the pilgrimage centre requires significant improvement in basic infrastructure, pilgrim amenities, beautification and structural conservation.

He requested that the site be developed as a Temple Town under the PRASAD scheme and suggested facilities such as a tourist facilitation centre, information and enquiry counters, waiting halls, landscaped pathways, beautification works, centres for local handicrafts and traditional Rajasthani arts, live demonstrations of marble carving, block printing, bandhej and miniature painting, a sound-and-light show on the life and teachings of Lord Rishabhdev, improved transport connectivity, meditation facilities, solid waste management, crowd-management systems and strengthened security arrangements.

Dr. Rawat also sought infrastructure development around the Idana Mata Temple, citing the growing number of pilgrims. He urged the Centre to support works related to parking, drinking water, sanitation, approach roads, waiting areas, dharamshalas, lighting, beautification, information centres, disabled-friendly facilities and other tourism infrastructure.