AP Govt focused on Temple Tourism

Kurnool, Nov 2: The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Minister Bhuma Akhila Priya has focused on monetizing temple assets by making them more accessible to pilgrims from across the world.

Rayalaseema is home to the world's second largest temple in terms of gross revenues which is situated at Tirumala. Other faith-based assets in the Rayalaseema region include the ancient Srisailam temple, Mantralaya Raghavendra Swamy Mutt and the Puttaparthi, the abode of world-renowned Satya Sai Baba.

The meeting of the State Tourism Minister with Union Tourism Minister Alfonso on Monday once again brought the focus back on temple tourism, said B. Venkateswarlu, district tourism officer.

In Rayalaseema, apart from Srisailam, he said that there are plenty of visiting places. Mantralayam, Ahobilam, Mahanandi Yaganti, Kadiri, Kasapueam, Puttaparti, Tirupati, Srikalahasti, Siddavatam, Bramhamgarimatam, Gandi, and Pushpagiri are some of the towns to be linked in the temple tourism circuit.

Air connectivity is already there at Tirupati, Kadapa and Puttaparthi. What is required is well-appointed accommodation with good guides well versed in the history and sociology of the region, said a professor of marketing.