Centre approves ₹141 Crore loans for development of Ramappa Circuit and Somasila Retreat

Historic Rudreswara Temple, also known as the Ramappa Temple – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – in Palampet, in Mulugu district of Telangana. File
| Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL

The Union government has approved loans to the tune of ₹141 crore to develop two tourism projects in Telangana:Ramappa Region Sustainable Tourism Circuit and Somasilla Wellness & Spiritual Retreat Nallamala. The 13th century Ramappa temple was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in November, 2021.

Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Sekhawat announced on Friday (November 29, 2024) that the Centre approved 40 projects across 23 States under the Special Assistance to States/Union Territories for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme, to develop iconic tourist centres to global standards. Two of them are in Telangana. Interest-free loans for a period of 50 years are provided under the scheme.

While ₹73.74 crore was approved for Ramappa Region Sustainable Tourism Circuit, ₹68.10 crore was approved for Somasila Wellness & Spiritual Retreat Nallamala.

Kakatiya Rudreshwara, popularly known as Ramappa temple, is 68 km away from Warangal and approximately 200 km from Hyderabad. The temple complex consists of Kateshwara temple, Kameshwara temple, Pakashala, Nandi Mandapa, Inscription and Rudredhwara temple.

Managing Director of Telangana Tourism Development Corporation Limited, N. Prakash Reddy said that Incherla village, Ramappa Island, Kota Gullu Temple and lake front development of Ghanpur village are various components of the Ramappa Circuit.

The corporation has detailed plans on the infrastructure that would be developed under each competent. For instance, beautification of sculpture garden, seating manasapam, on-site landscaping are planned at Kota Gullu temple.

The proposed components under Somasila retreat are wellness and spiritual retreat, viewing towards, organic cafe, interpretation centre.