Revival of Pracheen Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra route
*Execution depends on funds availability: Govt to Devyani
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Feb 12: Nearly three years after the Lieutenant Governor’s intervention and several months after formal approval, the ambitious project to revive the historic Pracheen Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra route from Nagrota to Deva Mai remains stuck in bureaucratic limbo, with the Government now making its execution conditional on the “availability of adequate funds”.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
The issue dates back to March 18, 2023, when the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Pracheen Marg Shrine Sanstha, led by former MLA from Nagrota Assembly constituency Devender Singh Rana, met the Lieutenant Governor seeking revival of the ancient pilgrimage path.
Acting swiftly, the Lieutenant Governor issued directions to the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, who convened a meeting of concerned officers the very next day to draw up an action plan.
During the meeting, representatives of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and the Shrine Sanstha emphasized that the ancient route was historically the only pathway used by pilgrims to reach the holy cave shrine, especially during Navratras, when yatris traditionally visited a series of heritage temples along the way.
Officials were informed that the route passes through several historically significant religious sites, including Jagdamba Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple Jagti, Durga Mata Temple Pangali, Shiv Temple Thandapani-Drabi, Shiv Shakti Temple, Raja Mandleek Temple, Raja Nowalgarh Temple Marh, Kali Mata Temple Gundla Talab, Ram Darbar, Shiv Temple Bamyal and Oli Temple Chhapanoo-Bamyal, reflecting the cultural and spiritual legacy of the ancient pilgrimage corridor.
During the meeting, the Divisional Commissioner directed the concerned departments to take all possible steps for revival and conservation of the route and temples.
The proposal gained momentum when the Department of Culture considered the proposal for revival and restoration of historical structures and certain heritage water bodies en route the traditional Mata Vaishno Devi path at an estimated cost of Rs 1500 lakh.
The proposal was approved by the Executive Committee in its meeting held on October 3, 2025 under Phase-III of the “Scheme for Revival, Restoration, Preservation and Maintenance of Architecture and Heritage in J&K”.
However, despite administrative directions and financial sanction, the Government has now stated that execution of the project would be subject to availability of funds under the CAPEX Budget for the financial year 2026-27, effectively pushing the timeline into uncertainty.
In a written reply to a question raised by Devyani Rana, sitting BJP MLA from Nagrota constituency and daughter of former legislator Devender Singh Rana, in the Legislative Assembly regarding physical and financial progress achieved in respect of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Pracheen Marg project, the Government said, “the execution of the project shall be subject to the availability of adequate funds”.
Regarding the expected date of completion/operationalization of the project together with the causes of delay, the Government said, “the project shall be completed in a phased manner after the availability of funds”.
This reply has raised questions about the seriousness of official commitments. The shifting stand—from urgent revival following the Lieutenant Governor’s directions to conditional execution linked to future funding—has triggered criticism from heritage activists and local stakeholders, who accuse the administration of allowing a culturally significant project to drift without clear timelines or accountability.
It is pertinent to mention here that the traditional route starts from Kol Kandoli Temple (first Darshan) and, after covering nearly 27 kilometers across villages, minor streams, a river, mountain trails and a valley, pilgrims reach Nomain where the route merges with the National Highway. This route lags behind in popularity due to lack of infrastructure, rough terrain and inadequate awareness among pilgrims.
Several religious structures along this route have turned into ruins due to abandonment. The corridor features a rich variety of old traditional structures such as temples, step-wells, Pacca Talabs, resting shelters, drinking and bathing water sources and Sarais constructed by pilgrims who historically used this pathway to reach the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.
Revival and systematic development of the Pracheen Yatra route will significantly boost heritage and religious tourism in the Jammu region by creating an alternative spiritual corridor, generating local employment opportunities, promoting village-based tourism and preserving centuries-old cultural assets while reducing pressure on the existing pilgrimage track.
The post Despite lapse of nearly 3 years, plan remains stuck in bureaucratic limbo appeared first on Daily Excelsior.