The historic Mata Tripura Sundari Temple, one of the 51 sacred Shakti Peethas, is all set to unveil a new look with major infrastructure and beautification works nearing completion under the PRASAD scheme of the central government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the newly developed facilities on September 22, marking a historic moment for the temple and for Tripura’s spiritual tourism.
CM Reviews Progress Ahead of PM’s Visit
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha visited the Matabari temple complex on Sunday to review the progress of the ongoing work and also sought the blessings of the deity. He was accompanied by Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy, local MLA Abhishek Debroy, Bagma MLA Rampada Jamatia, Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha, DGP Anurag Dhankhar, Tourism Secretary U.K. Chakma, Revenue Secretary Brijesh Pandey, PWD Secretary Kiran Gitte, and several senior officials.
During the inspection, the Chief Minister stressed the need to ensure timely completion of all projects ahead of the Prime Minister’s arrival. Interestingly, while Tourism Secretary U.K. Chakma was present at the review session, Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury was not seen at the site.
A ₹100 Crore Redevelopment Project
The temple redevelopment, with an estimated cost of ₹100 crore, is aimed at boosting spiritual tourism and improving facilities for lakhs of pilgrims who visit the shrine every year. The PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive) scheme has been instrumental in modernizing temple infrastructure while preserving its historic significance.
Concerns Raised by Devotees
Even as the redevelopment project nears completion, several concerns from devotees remain unaddressed. One devotee wrote on the Chief Minister’s Facebook page describing his experience during a recent visit. He alleged that pilgrims had to walk barefoot on scorching stone stairways without carpets or shade, which caused severe discomfort, especially for elderly visitors.
The same devotee also claimed that priests, despite receiving dakshina, were demanding additional tips from pilgrims, calling it a disappointing practice that taints the spiritual experience.
Another devotee urged the authorities to provide free prasad for all pilgrims, pointing out that under the PRASAD scheme, basic spiritual offerings should be made available at no cost. Currently, the prasad costs ₹70 per thali, which many believe should either be subsidized or made free during specific hours of the day.
Historic Inauguration Expected
The upcoming inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to draw national attention to the sacred temple and elevate Tripura’s standing on the map of India’s spiritual tourism circuit. However, devotees remain hopeful that alongside the grand beautification, the ground-level issues they face will also be addressed to make the pilgrimage experience more fulfilling.