Andhra Pradesh Seeks 2,000 Hectares of Forest Land for Development of Srisailam Temple Ahead of PM Modi’s Visit

Amaravati, Oct 2025 : The Andhra Pradesh government has formally requested the Union government to allocate 2,000 hectares of forest land for the development of the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple in Srisailam, officials said on Sunday. This initiative was taken as part of preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to the temple on October 16, where he is expected to offer prayers.

The decision emerged during a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu with senior officials from the Endowments and Forest Departments. The Chief Minister emphasized the need to prepare a comprehensive master plan for the temple’s development, ensuring that modern facilities are made available to accommodate the millions of devotees who visit annually.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and Endowments Minister Anam Rama Narayana Reddy also attended the meeting, along with senior officials from the relevant departments. Chief Minister Naidu suggested that the Srisailam temple be developed along the lines of the Tirupati temple in Tirumala, which has become a global spiritual and tourist hub. He stressed that a large number of devotees from across India, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana, visit Srisailam every year, highlighting the urgent need to enhance facilities for pilgrims.

In the meeting, it was decided to formally request the Union Forest Ministry to allocate 2,000 hectares of forest land to the Endowments Department to facilitate the temple’s expansion and infrastructure development. With Prime Minister Modi’s visit approaching, the government also plans to discuss the temple’s development and proposed enhancements with him.

Chief Minister Naidu underlined the importance of connecting the Srisailam temple to national highways to improve accessibility. He suggested that routes near Dornala, Sundipenta, Eaglepenta, and other strategic locations should be linked to the temple, ensuring smooth travel for devotees and tourists alike. He further emphasized that Srisailam should be promoted not only as a spiritual hub but also as a tourist destination of national significance.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan stressed the urgency of implementing comprehensive development plans to meet the growing influx of devotees. He noted that with the increasing number of pilgrims visiting from various states, the temple’s facilities, including accommodation, amenities, and transportation infrastructure, need to be upgraded. Kalyan also proposed a study of similar forest-based pilgrimage sites, such as Sabarimala, to identify best practices for improving services and ensuring a safe and convenient experience for visitors.

Chief Minister Naidu highlighted that many of Andhra Pradesh’s prominent temples are located in forested and hilly regions, underscoring the importance of heritage preservation alongside development. He stated that considering Srisailam’s potential to become the second-largest temple after Tirumala, the government must prioritize providing adequate parking, lodging, and other essential facilities for pilgrims. Naidu further noted that without the allocation of sufficient land, meeting the needs of large numbers of visitors would remain a challenge.

To address these issues, the Chief Minister proposed sending a team of officials to Delhi to coordinate with the Union Forest Ministry regarding the land allocation. He assured that while undertaking temple development, the state government would also safeguard the surrounding forest areas, promote greenery, and enhance the ecological balance of the region.

In addition, Naidu directed Forest Department officials to prepare an action plan to increase the tiger population within the Srisailam Tiger Reserve and implement measures to protect wildlife, demonstrating that environmental conservation will run parallel to temple development.

The Andhra Pradesh government’s initiative aims to ensure that the Srisailam temple evolves into a world-class spiritual and tourist destination while maintaining the ecological and cultural integrity of the surrounding forested region.