‘Town to draw investments, infra with SMVDSB support’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 18: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday announced a series of major initiatives for the development of Katra, including the construction of a temple dedicated to Adi Shankaracharya and the setting up of an International Museum of Goddess.
Sinha said several facilities have already been established, and efforts are on to start a helicopter service to the Shiv Khori cave shrine of Lord Shiva from Katra within three months.
Sinha laid the foundation stone of the Shankaracharya temple, which was first conceived in 1967.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
This state-of-the-art temple is another ambitious project conceived under the leadership of the Lieutenant Governor, after a museum of goddesses comprising replicas and representations of major ‘devi’ pilgrimage sites from across India, which is also proposed to come up at Katra, the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi in Reasi district.
Click here to watch video
During the ceremony, Sinha said Adi Shankaracharya undertook a cross-country visit and set up four maths. “He also visited Jammu and Kashmir. A temple of Shankaracharya situated in Srinagar in Kashmir is being visited by hundreds of pilgrims.”
“Now, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, the district administration and residents have collectively decided to construct a grand temple dedicated to Adi Shankaracharya. A temple for the local deity will also be built,” he added.
Sinha said road infrastructure will be strengthened, and the Shrine Board will construct 50 shops to support the livelihood of residents.
“There is also a proposal to renovate the Bhoomika temple and provide improved facilities for devotees,” he said.
Sinha said the Shrine Board will talk to all stakeholders and nobody will be deprived of his livelihood.
Highlighting key decisions taken in the recent board meeting, the governor said an International Museum of Goddess Devi will be established in Katra.
“A light and sound show, on the lines of the shows at Somnath Temple and the Statue of Unity, will also be developed to offer an enhanced spiritual and cultural experience to devotees visiting the town,” he said.
The LG said that many pilgrims visiting the shrine face difficulties in travelling to the Shiv Khori shrine for darshan of Lord Bholenath.
“To address this, the Shiv Khori Shrine Board and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board have jointly decided to operationalise helicopter services between Katra and Shiv Khori,” he said.
Sinha said that the helipad at Katra is in the final stage of construction and a similar facility at Shiv Khori is also nearing completion.
Sinha expressed hope that heli services from Katra to Shiv Khori will commence within the next three months, enabling pilgrims to visit both shrines conveniently.
Referring to social welfare measures, he said that an empowered committee under the National Green Tribunal had earlier recommended a joint rehabilitation programme by the Jammu and Kashmir government and the Shrine Board for ponywalas and labourers.
“The Shrine Board has now decided to take full responsibility for their phased rehabilitation,” he said.
The LG also highlighted the Shrine Board’s role during recent floods, stating that it organised health camps, ensured the timely supply of essential materials and undertook the reconstruction of 15 schools in Katra and adjoining areas damaged due to heavy rainfall.
He said that last year the Shrine Board constructed five temples, while five more are under construction. Another five temples will be built in Diggar and later handed over to local residents, he added.
Emphasising holistic development, Sinha said, “Along with the municipality and the Jammu and Kashmir administration, the Shrine Board will extend financial support for the town’s modernisation and infrastructure development,” he added.
He announced that the Shrine Board is enhancing the annual procurement of Puja Samagri and Prasad from SHGs from current procurement value of Rs.5 Crore to Rs. 12 Crore significantly strengthening livelihood generation in the region.
“A standout measure was to prioritize purchases from local self-help groups, women, and young entrepreneurs to boost the regional economy. This initiative will onboard 20 additional self-help groups into the supply chain, providing livelihood support to around 1,500 women from villages in Reasi, Udhampur, and Jammu. Total annual purchases from these groups will be scaled to Rs. 50 crore in coming years,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He stated that the soul of J&K UT is deeply rooted in India’s rich civilizational heritage, so we have decided to channel Vedic education’s vast wisdom to the youth to nurture this legacy. He said, through the Gurukul initiative, SMVDSB will nurture youth who will uphold sacred traditions and perform religious practices with authenticity and understanding.
Sinha also shared his vision for the future of the holy town. “I envision Katra carving a unique global identity in the coming years- drawing investments, superior infrastructure with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board support, booming business activity, and boundless opportunities for the youth,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor further highlighted that the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board envisions building a world-class cultural and spiritual center-one that provides society with a foundation of lasting stability.
Suresh Kumar Sharma and Gunjan Rana, Members, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board; Prof. Pragati Kumar, Vice-Chancellor SMVDU; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Mohd Aijaz Asad, Secretary Rural Development & PR; Sarah Rizvi, DIG Udhampur and Reasi Range; Sachin Kumar Vaishya, CEO SMVDSB; Nidhi Malik, Deputy Commissioner Reasi; senior officers of Police and Civil Administration, members of women self-help groups from Reasi and adjoining districts attended the function.
The post Shankaracharya temple, Devi Museum, heli service among major decisions for Katra: LG appeared first on Daily Excelsior.