Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, October 16, 2025, performing puja and participating in Darshan at the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Varla Devasthanam. The temple, located in Nandyal district, is one of India’s most revered religious sites, uniquely housing both a Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva and a Shakti Peeth of Goddess Bhramaramba, a combination unmatched in any other temple complex in the country.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, with Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan also present. The visit underscores the importance of religious, cultural, and historical heritage in India, with the temple serving as a spiritual center attracting thousands of devotees annually.

Spiritual significance of Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple

The Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna temple is considered sacred for its dual sanctity, being part of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and 52 Shakti Peeths in India. Devotees consider a visit to Srisailam essential for spiritual fulfillment, with the temple celebrated for its rituals, festivals, and architectural grandeur. The temple’s unique status has made it a national pilgrimage site, blending religious devotion with cultural tourism.

Warm welcome by Andhra Pradesh leadership

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu welcomed PM Modi, writing on social media, “On behalf of my people of Andhra Pradesh, I warmly welcome our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji to our state.” The visit marks PM Modi’s first major trip to Andhra Pradesh since Naidu’s return to power, signaling a renewed partnership between the Centre and the state government focused on development, infrastructure, and socio-economic growth.

Launch of Rs 13,430 crore development projects

After the temple visit, PM Modi is scheduled to travel to Kurnool to inaugurate, dedicate, and lay foundation stones for development projects valued at Rs 13,430 crore. These projects span multiple critical sectors:

• Industry: Initiatives aimed at boosting local manufacturing, attracting investment, and creating employment opportunities.

• Railways: Expansion and modernisation of railway infrastructure to improve connectivity within Andhra Pradesh and to neighbouring states.

• Defence manufacturing: Projects to enhance India’s self-reliance in defence production and support local industries.

• Energy and power transmission: Initiatives to strengthen electricity distribution, renewable energy integration, and sustainable development.

• Road infrastructure: Construction and upgrading of highways and arterial roads to improve transportation efficiency.

• Petroleum and natural gas: Strategic projects to enhance fuel distribution, storage, and energy security.

The official release emphasised that these projects are aligned with the Centre’s vision of inclusive socio-economic growth, strengthening regional connectivity, and accelerating industrialisation across Andhra Pradesh.

Visit to Sree Shivaji Spoorthi Kendra

As part of his Srisailam itinerary, PM Modi also visited the Sree Shivaji Spoorthi Kendra, a memorial complex dedicated to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The complex features a Dhyana Mandir (Meditation Hall) surrounded by models of historic forts — Pratapgad, Rajgad, Raigad, and Shivneri — with a statue of Shivaji Maharaj in deep meditation at its center. The memorial commemorates Shivaji Maharaj’s historic visit to Srisailam in 1677 and is managed by the Sree Shivaji Memorial Committee.

Public address in Kurnool

Following the project inaugurations, PM Modi is scheduled to address a public gathering in Kurnool, highlighting the Centre’s development roadmap for Andhra Pradesh and emphasizing the importance of cooperative federalism. This public address is expected to showcase the synergy between the Union Government and the state leadership, signalling the political and administrative alignment necessary for rapid infrastructure and industrial growth.

Significance of the visit

PM Modi’s visit to Andhra Pradesh is being seen as a landmark event for several reasons:

1. Religious and cultural importance: By performing puja at Srisailam, the Prime Minister reinforces India’s commitment to preserving and promoting its heritage and spiritual sites.

2. Economic development: The launch of Rs 13,430 crore in multi-sector projects demonstrates the Centre’s focus on regional development, industrialisation, and employment generation.

3. Political alignment: The visit marks strengthened cooperation between Andhra Pradesh’s newly elected government and the Union Government, with visible coordination on major development initiatives.

4. Public engagement: The Kurnool gathering provides a platform for the Prime Minister to directly communicate with citizens, explaining the government’s vision for inclusive growth and infrastructure expansion.

Conclusion

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Srisailam and Kurnool underscores the interconnection of cultural heritage, spiritual significance, and development initiatives in India’s governance model. The inauguration and foundation-laying of Rs 13,430 crore projects across industry, railways, defence, energy, and other sectors represent a substantial investment in Andhra Pradesh’s future, aiming to enhance connectivity, economic growth, and local employment.

By combining religious reverence with high-profile development initiatives, the visit reflects the Union Government’s strategy of holistic state engagement, blending cultural diplomacy with infrastructural progress. The events in Srisailam and Kurnool are expected to leave a lasting impact on Andhra Pradesh, positioning it as a key hub for industrial, energy, and infrastructure development in the region while reinforcing the importance of Centre-state cooperation in India’s federal governance model.

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