kiranmai tutika | AMARAVATI

The Andhra Pradesh government is set to transform the historic Vontimitta temple into a prominent spiritual and tourism destination, announced Tourism, Culture, and Cinematography Minister Kandula Durgesh. Responding to a query by MLC V. Ramachandra Reddy in the Legislative Council, the minister outlined the government’s vision for temple tourism and infrastructure development in the region.

As part of this initiative, the Vontimitta Kodandarama temple will be integrated into a larger spiritual tourism circuit, connecting prominent temples and religious sites, including Devuni Kadapa Lakshmi Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Pushpagiri Chennakesava Swamy Temple, Brahmangari Matham, Vontimitta Kodandarama Temple, Gandi Veeranjaneya Swamy Temple, Yaganti Uma Maheshwara Swamy Temple, Nandavaram Chowdeshwari Matham, and Mahanandiswara Swamy Temple.

The minister emphasized the need to retain visitors for multiple days by developing additional tourist attractions and accommodations. “Currently, most pilgrims visit Vontimitta for a day and leave by evening. We need to create reasons for them to stay longer. Our plan includes special tourism buses and package tours connecting the surrounding temples and sites,” he added.

The government is also working on improving accommodation facilities. Minister Durgesh pointed out that the Haritha Resorts in the region had been neglected over the past five years, with only four functional rooms available. Plans are underway to renovate and expand these facilities, ensuring better amenities for tourists.

To enrich visitors’ experience, the government is considering integrating QR codes at key sites, providing historical and cultural insights in multiple languages, including Telugu, English, Hindi, and Tamil. Additionally, existing restaurants in the area will be upgraded to provide a more comprehensive and comfortable experience for devotees and tourists.

The minister also revealed that the state government has submitted proposals for temple tourism development under the Central Government’s PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) scheme. “I recently met Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in Delhi to discuss tourism development projects in Andhra Pradesh. He has given a positive response, and we expect significant support for our initiatives,” Durgesh stated.