What is Swadesh Darshan Scheme? How To Apply?

If you want to find something on Swadesh Darshan Scheme, this is the right place to be. In this blog, we will be talking about Swadesh Darshan Scheme (स्वदेश दर्शन योजना) and explaining to you everything there is to know about the scheme.

The scheme continues to be the flagship program of the Ministry of Tourism. The activities under the scheme have bore fruit and have helped in the development of a lot of destinations of great importance!

The GoI has allocated INR 1400 crores for the scheme in Union Budget 2023. The money will be provided for further enhancement and promotion of theme-based circuits in India.

Let’s understand what the scheme is and how you can apply for the scheme if you have a project for funding.

What is Swadesh Darshan Scheme?

The Swadesh Darshan Scheme (स्वदेश दर्शन योजना) was a scheme launched by the Central Government in the year 2015 to promote, develop and unlock the potential of tourism and attract more tourists to India.

Swadesh Darshan Scheme will be covered under the PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) and Swadesh Darshan. It aims to develop the heritage cities of the country properly in order to attract more visitors.

The plan was to include some tourist circuits to help attract more tourists to those areas and cities. The scheme aims to ensure the integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits in India.

Details About Swadesh Darshan Scheme

Here are the essential details about Swadesh Darshan Scheme (स्वदेश दर्शन योजना) that you may look at –

Scheme	Swadesh Darshan Scheme and PRASAD
Launched In	2014-15
Launched By	Central Government Ministry of Tourism
No. of Circuits Covered	15
Funded By	Central Government
Total Allocated Budget	INR 1,412 Crore (Union Budget 2023-24)
Concerned Ministry	Ministry of Tourism and Culture

Tourist Circuits Covered Under Swadesh Darshan Scheme

The Swadesh Darshan Scheme has been a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Tourism since 2015. The scheme aims to cover 15 theme-based tourist circuits across India.

Here are the details about the circuits –

#1. Buddha Circuit

This circuit covers the most important pilgrimage centers of Buddhist tourists in the country. States of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh are covered in this circuit.

#2. Coastal Circuit

This circuit aims at consolidating India’s position as the land of “Sun, Sea & Surf”. This circuit covers the 7,517 km long coastal line of India across the states of Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

#3. Desert Circuit

This circuit covers the great desert areas of the country. It attracts tourists from the Thar Desert, the arid lands of Kutch and Ladakh along with Himachal Pradesh from all over the world.

#4. Ego Circuit

The objective of this circuit is to connect tourists with nature and environmentally friendly destinations across the country. States of Kerala, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Mizoram and Jharkhand are covered in this circuit.

#5. Heritage Circuit

Heritage circuit aims to promote the rich and vibrant heritage culture of the country to global tourists. It covers states like Rajasthan, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Puducherry, Punjab, Uttrakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana.

#6. North-East Circuit

With this circuit, the Government aims to develop the North-Eastern region of the country. States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim are covered under the circuit.

#7. Himalayan Circuit

As you might have guessed the Himalayan Circuit aims to develop and promote the Himalayan states of the country. Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and North-East Region are the areas covered under the circuit.

#8. Sufi Circuit

To celebrate the decorated Sufi culture in the country, this circuit was introduced. The places where Sufi saints were born and grew up are covered in this circuit.

#9. Krishna Circuit

This circuit is aimed at the development of historical places linked with the legends of Lord Krishna across various regions of Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

#10. Ramayana Circuit

Just like the Krishna circuit, the Ramayana Circuit is aimed at developing places related to the legends of Ramayana and Lord Rama. The places include regions of Uttar Pradesh and many others across the country.

#11. Rural Circuit

This circuit specifically works on developing and rejuvenating the rural economy and rural tourist spots. Rural circuit includes Rural Circuit Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism along with Bihar Gandhi Circuit (Bhitiharwa, Chandrahia, Turkaulia)

#12. Spiritual Circuit

This circuit aims to facilitate the development of Spiritual destinations in India, “The Land of Spirituality”. States covered under the circuit are Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Rajasthan, Bihar and Puducherry.

#13. Tirthankar Circuit

This circuit is dedicated to places associated with Jain Shrines and Jain Tirthankars. These places showcase unique and separate styles of architecture, cuisine, craft, etc. All of the places with such associations are covered under the circuit.

#14. Wildlife Circuit

Major National and Wildlife Sanctuaries and Preserves are covered under this circuit. These places are mostly spread over states like Assam and Madhya Pradesh.

#15. Tribal Circuit

This circuit aims to give the “Modern Travellers” a glimpse of the vibrant and undiscovered tribal areas that have their own culture, traditions, art, festivities, food and craftsmanship. The major areas are located in Chhatisgarh, Nagaland and Telangana.

Aim of SDS (स्वदेश दर्शन योजना)

If you are looking to know the major aims of the Swadesh Darshan Yojana, then this section will be helpful.

#1. The central aim of the Scheme is to promote tourism as a way to boost economic growth and job creation.

#2. Promote India as a world-class renowned tourist destination.

#3. Inject modernism and professionalism to ensure an overall infrastructure development of the region.

#4. Promote and develop theme-based circuits to provide a complete tourist experience.

#5. Ensure complete tourism in a sustainable manner.

How To Apply For Swadesh Darshan Yojana?

If you didn’t know this, then let us tell you that under the Swadesh Darshan Yojana, you can apply and raise funding for your project. Here are some pre-requisites you should keep in mind –

#1. If you have a recognized organisation under the Ministry of Tourism, it would help big time.

#2. You need to have valid credentials for the same.

#3. Then you can visit the official portal of the scheme – Here and log in.

#4. Once you log in, you can apply for the scheme and submit your project.

#5. Experts will then go through your project details and come up with a DPR (Detailed Project Report) for the same.

#6. Now all you have to do is just wait for the DPR to get approved. Once it is approved, you will get funding for the project in five installments.

However, there are certain things that your projects SHOULD NOT have in order for it to get approved.

Here’s the list –

#1. Resettlement and rehabilitation package

#2. Accommodation

#3. Any kind of land acquisition for development

#4. Improvement or Investment in assets or structures which are owned by private entities.

#5. Convention Centers or Golf Course or Aquamarine Parks or amusement parks or theme parks which are taken up for VGF under other schemes

Swadesh Darshan Yojana in Kerala

Swadesh Darshan Scheme was launched by the Kerala State Government. The aim is to provide INR 410.89 Crore assistance to develop spiritual tourist circuits in the state.

There are 14 theme-based circuits in Kerala that include – Kasaragod, Wayanad, Kannur, Kozhikkode, Palakkad, Malappuram, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram.

Here are some details –

Scheme Name	Swadesh Darshan Scheme, Kerala
Concerned Department	Kerala State Government
Scheme Moto	To Develop spiritual tourism circuits in Kerala
Allocated Budget	INR 410.89 Crore (as of 2022)
Official Site	swadeshdarshan.gov.in

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