Lepakshi gets silver award in central evaluation

Anantapur: Lepakshi, the historic spot in Sathya Sai district, got the ‘best rural tourism centre in the state’ award in Silver category while 35 villages from across India have been chosen as the 'best tourism villages' in the country in a nationwide competition.

 The evaluation criteria were aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the awards were distributed on Wednesday. The central tourism ministry held the award ceremony at the Bharat Mandapam on the occasion of World Tourism Day.

Lepakshi was among 35 centres selected in the silver category. The Lepakshi sarpanch along with state tourism officials were invited for the event in New Delhi.

Prior to announcing the awards in three categories -- Gold, Bronze and Silver -- the ministry also held a global launch of 'Travel for LiFE', in partnership with the central environment ministry, the UN World Tourism Organisation and the UN Environment Programme.

Minister of state for tourism, Ajay Bhatt, tourism secretary V. Vidhyavathi, environment secretary Leena Nandan and other senior officials were present.’

The ministry of tourism on February 16 had launched the 'Best Tourism Village Competition' to select the best tourism village from across the country, and a new website to promote rural tourism. The winners were selected from over 750 entries received from 315 districts.

Lepakshi Village is known for its architectural heritage of the Vijayanagar style. It was also in the tentative list of Unesco recently in view of its exemplary sculpture and paintings of the five-centuries old Vijayanagar empire.

 The hanging pillar and the world's biggest Nandi have been among the attractions there. Huge crowds of tourists from various states as also foreigners visit the site. Historian Lepakshi Ramprasad expressed gratitude to the central government for selecting the site as one of the best in the country.