Shrine Board committed to devotees’ well-being
Srinagar, FEB 18: In a major boost to Katra’s spiritual and economic landscape, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday laid the foundation stone of the long-awaited Sri Shankaracharya Temple, a project envisioned in the 1960s and now set to reshape the region’s religious and cultural profile.
The temple complex, estimated to cost Rs 31.51 crore, will be fully funded by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB).
Announcing key initiatives, the Lieutenant Governor said the Shrine Board will construct 50 commercial shops within the complex, which will be allotted to landowners who donated 41 kanals of land for the sacred project. An MoU to this effect was executed between the Shrine Board and the concerned landowners in 2025.
Addressing the gathering, Sinha said the Sri Shankaracharya Temple would serve as a spiritual anchor for millions of devotees in the years to come.
“It will be a living emblem of India’s eternal culture, collective faith, resilience and profound spiritual-cultural consciousness,” he said.
He added that devotees visiting the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine for darshan are also expected to visit the new temple, generating economic momentum across the region. “This influx will create employment opportunities, strengthen local enterprises and inject fresh energy into regional development,” he said.
During his visit, the Lieutenant Governor also presided over the ‘Samridh Nari, Samridh Bharat’ programme at the Spiritual Growth Centre, interacting with women entrepreneurs from self-help groups (SHGs) of Reasi and adjoining areas.
Reiterating the Shrine Board’s commitment to community welfare, Sinha said the Board has consistently generated large-scale local employment and supported business activity, contributing to a renewed social and cultural identity in the Union Territory.
He said recent decisions taken by the Shrine Board aim to transform the Shrine and surrounding areas into India’s premier vibrant spiritual hub.
A major initiative includes enhancing annual procurement of puja samagri and prasad from SHGs from Rs 5 crore to Rs 12 crore. In the coming years, total annual purchases from these groups are projected to scale up to Rs 50 crore.
The move will onboard 20 additional SHGs into the supply chain, benefiting around 1,500 women from villages in Reasi, Udhampur and Jammu districts.
Highlighting the cultural dimension of the project, the Lieutenant Governor said the Shrine Board will launch a Gurukul initiative to impart Vedic education to youth, nurturing sacred traditions with authenticity and understanding.
“The soul of J&K is deeply rooted in India’s civilisational heritage. We are committed to preserving and strengthening this legacy,” he said.
Sinha also shared his vision of Katra emerging as a globally recognised spiritual destination, attracting investment, superior infrastructure and expanded opportunities for youth with the support of the Shrine Board.
He said the Board envisions establishing a world-class cultural and spiritual centre that provides society with a foundation of lasting stability. Several senior officials, Shrine Board members, civil and police officers, and representatives of self-help groups attended the function.
Highlights:
Project cost Rs 31.51 crore, fully funded by SMVDSB
50 shops to benefit land donors within temple complex
Temple to boost devotion, economy, & local employment
Gurukul initiative to promote Vedic education for youth
