Katra, Feb 18 (KNO): In a landmark moment for the pilgrim town, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday laid the foundation stone of the much-anticipated Sri Shankaracharya Temple in Katra.
Describing the project as a significant step towards strengthening the spiritual and tourism landscape of the region, the Lieutenant Governor reaffirmed the commitment of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board to the holistic development of Katra. He emphasized that the proposed ropeway project is aimed at enhancing facilities for pilgrims and visitors while ensuring that the livelihoods of local residents remain fully protected.
According to the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the foundation stone of the revered temple was laid on hillocks beside the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. This project took roots after decades, realizing a vision first envisioned in the 1960s. Total expenditure for the temple complex, amounting to Rs. 31.51 crore, will be fully borne by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
While addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone, LG Sinha, as per KNO said, “In the years ahead, the Sri Shankaracharya Temple will serve as a spiritual anchor for millions of devotees. It will be a living emblem of India's eternal culture, collective faith, resilience, and profound spiritual-cultural consciousness.”
He said, “Devotees visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi for darshan will also come to Sri Shankaracharya Temple, generating significant economic momentum across the region. This influx will create employment opportunities, strengthen local enterprises, and inject fresh energy into overall regional development.”
The Lieutenant Governor announced that the Shrine Board will construct 50 commercial shops within the Temple complex, which will be allotted to the landowners who donated it for sacred cause.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) and the concerned landowners was executed in 2025, wherein the landowners have consented to donate 41 Kanals for sacred cause.
PRESIDES OVER ‘SAMRIDH NARI, SAMRIDH BHARAT’ PROGRAM
During his visit to the holy town of Katra, the Lieutenant Governor presided over the ‘Samridh Nari, Samridh Bharat’ program at the Spiritual Growth Centre, where he interacted with the women entrepreneurs of Self-Help Groups of Reasi and adjoining areas.
The Lieutenant Governor reiterated the commitment of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board towards keeping spiritual hubs vibrant while prioritizing every devotee's comfort, safety, and dignity.
He said when sacred sites thrive with vitality, they spark renewed faith and unlock paths to progress.
“Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has consistently prioritized welfare of local communities. It has not only generated large-scale local employment and supported extensive business activity, but has also contributed significantly to shaping a renewed social and cultural identity in the Union Territory,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor said that Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board in a recent meeting had approved key decisions to transform the Shrine and surrounding area into India's premier vibrant spiritual hub.
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.
The Lieutenant Governor 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.
The Lieutenant Governor 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.
ROPEWAY PROJECT WON’T HIT LIVELIHOODS OF LOCAL PEOPLE
Talking to the reporters after laying the foundation stone of the temple, LG Sinha, as per KNO drew comparisons with iconic spiritual and cultural landmarks, saying, “Just like Somnath Mandir and Statue of Unity, here too a museum will be built along with a narmitti (holy water) site, so devotees from all over the country can visit and experience it.”
He also highlighted accessibility challenges for pilgrims visiting Devi Mata Vaishno Devi and Bhagwan Bholenath, noting that many devotees found it difficult to reach these sacred sites. “On the ropeway project and other infrastructure developments, he stressed that the livelihood of local people of Katra will not be affected.”
LG Sinha also discussed the collaborative efforts of the Jammu & Kashmir government and the Shrine Board, mandated by an empowered committee of the NGT, to rehabilitate local service providers, particularly people from Pithu, in a phased manner, ensuring their daily income remains secure.
Highlighting the Shrine Board’s past and ongoing initiatives, he said the Board took responsibility during floods, providing relief, health camps and essential supplies, reflecting a long-term commitment to community welfare.
“Fifteen schools have been constructed in Katra and nearby areas to support education post-flood. Last year, five new temples were built and five more are planned to provide spiritual access to local villages. An international museum of the goddess is under construction in Katra to enrich the cultural and spiritual experience,” he added.
LG Sinha also stressed the development of Katra as a clean, green, and spiritually vibrant city, integrating infrastructure, tourism, and urban planning while ensuring that local livelihoods continue unharmed.
According to the board officials Shri Shankaracharya Ji Temple will nourish the spiritual lives of billions of devotees while simultaneously driving substantial regional economic activity. “The SMVDSB will ensure that this spiritual centre is vibrant and alive, that prioritizes devotee welfare while also contributing to the prosperity of local communities who sustain them. It is a moment that will live permanently in our hearts and in the pages of history,” they said.
Dignitaries, who attended the function, included Suresh Kumar Sharma and Gunjan Rana, Members, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board; Prof. Pragati Kumar, Vice-Chancellor SMVDU; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Mohammad 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—(KNO)