APTDC to promote temple tourism in EG

RAJAHMUNDRY: Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) along with the endowments department will promote temple tourism in East Godavari district. As part of it, a Rs 10.60 crore APTDC tourism information centre will come up at Sarpavaram, the abode of Lord Bhavanarayana Swamy. While the union government will contribute `8.60 crore for the centre, the state government's share is Rs 2 crore. A Kalyana Mandapam, parking place, lounge and waiting halls will come up on 2.6 acres. The APTDC will construct necessary rooms with all facilities for the tourists.The APTDC will pick up tourists at Samalkot railway station and drive them to the tourism information centre in Sarpavaram. From there, they will be taken to Samalkot, Kumarama Bhimeswara Swamy temple, one of the Pancharama Kshetras and Kukkuteswara Swamy temple in Pithapuram (Padagaya).The APTDC will bring the tourists to Sarpavaram for lunch and later they will be taken to Bhimeswara Swamy temple in Draksharamam, which is also one of the Pancharama Kshetras.Later, the tourists will be taken to Samalkot railway station. The APTDC planned the programme as one day package.