Rammohan Naidu Says Arasavalli Sun Temple To Become Major Spiritual Destination

Union Minister for Civil Aviation K. Rammohan Naidu visited the Arasavalli Sri Suryanarayana Swamy temple and said it would become “one of the country’s major spiritual destinations” after development under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme. The project has been sanctioned ₹55.74 crore under the scheme.

The visit took place on October 5, 2026, with Collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar and other senior officials accompanying the Union Minister.

The temple is located 2 km from Srikakulam, where Mr. Naidu interacted with officials, priests, public representatives and locals about its development.

Facilities planned under the tourism scheme

The Ministry of Tourism will take up several works under the scheme, including a Sun Experience Centre, a dome structure on the sun deck area, a restaurant and a shopping area. Additional facilities will also be developed at the temple.

Mr. Naidu praised Collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar for preparing the detailed project report that led the Ministry to sanction the funds.

The Centre has selected 57 destinations across the country under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme and has sanctioned funds for 17 of them.

Airport expected to support pilgrim visits

Mr. Naidu said thousands of devotees from other States and abroad would also come to the temple once the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram became operational.

The airport is on the Visakhapatnam-Srikakulam route, connecting the temple’s development plans with a future air-access facility mentioned by the Union Minister.

A team of senior Union government officials will visit the temple and make more suggestions for implementing the scheme, Mr. Naidu said.

Source: The Hindu