“The Tripura government has recently sent a Rs 40 crore project to the Union Tourism Ministry to sanction funds under the PRASHAD scheme for an all round development of the famous 520-year-old Tripura Sundari Temple in southern Tripura’s Udaipur (60 kilometre south of state capital Agartala),” the official told IANS, refusing to be identified. The Union Tourism Ministry under the schemes—Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) and Integrated Development of Theme Based Tourist Circuit in the Country, Swadesh Darshan (SD)—provides financial assistance for infrastructure development and beautification of tourist spots in various states and union territories.

Maharaja (king) of Tripura Dhanya Manikya (1463 to 1515) built the Tripura Sundari Temple in 1501. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas (holy sites) in the country. After the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government assumed office in Tripura in March 2018, the Mata Tripura Sundari Temple Development Committee was replaced by the board of trustees named Mata Tripura Sundari Temple Trust. Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb is the Chairman of the 10-member trust.