Spiritual tourism circuit in Kerala to promote tourism across 14 districts, 133 sites

K J Alphons, Union Minister of State for Tourism, recently declared that the Tourism Ministry has given sanction to projects worth INR 85.23 crores to build Spiritual Circuit III for Kerala under the Swadesh Darshan scheme.
According to news reports, the destinations under Spiritual Circuit III for Kerala are located across its 14 districts and include 133 religious sites. The minister announced that the scheme will be implemented in Wayand, Kannur, Kozhikode, Kasargod, Palakkad, Malappuram, Thrissur, Idukki, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam,Pathanamhitta, Thiruvanathapuram, and Kollam.

Alphons told the press that the destinations in Kerala have been chosen on the basis of their cultural, religious, and historical importance. The ministry plans to develop Annadhana Mandapam, Community hall, multipurpose hall, cafeteria, parking facilities, toilets, landscaping, pathways, signages, illuminations, and dustbins among others.
Reportedly, the Swadesh Darshan scheme is one of the chief schemes of the Ministry of Tourism for expansion of thematic circuits in India in a systematic and important way. About 15 thematic circuits have been listed under this scheme for development, such as the North-East Circuit, Tirthankar Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Rural Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Sufi Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, and Heritage Circuit. The government has implemented this scheme to develop quality infrastructure in India in order to provide better experience and amenities to the tourists, and further promoting economic growth.