JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on February 18 laid the foundation stone for the much-anticipated Sri Shankaracharya Temple in Katra. Perched on hillocks beside the revered Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, this project takes root after decades, realising a dream 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 (SMVDSB) of which Sinha is the ex officio Chairman.
LG announced that the Shrine Board will construct 50 commercial shops within the temple complex, which will be allotted to landowners who donated the land for a sacred cause. This will help the landowners who have given their land for the shrine. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) and the concerned landowners was executed in 2025, in which the landowners consented to donate 41 Kanals for a sacred cause.
“In the years ahead, 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 and cultural consciousness. 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,” Mr Sinha said.
During his visit to the holy town of Katra, Sinha presided over the ‘Samridh Nari, Samridh Bharat’ program at the Spiritual Growth Centre, where he interacted with the women entrepreneurs of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) of Reasi and adjoining areas.
The LG reiterated the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board’s commitment to keeping spiritual hubs vibrant while prioritising every devotee’s comfort, safety, and dignity. He said when sacred sites thrive with vitality, they spark renewed faith and unlock paths to progress.
The board has consistently prioritised the 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,” he said. The board, in a recent meeting, had approved key decisions to transform the cave 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,” he said.
The LG 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 nurture this legacy among the youth. 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 holy town’s future. “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 LG 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.
