Foundation stone of Shri Shankaracharya Temple in Katra
Rakesh Sharma, Katra (Jammu). Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha laid the foundation stone of Shri Shankaracharya Temple in Katra on Wednesday. After a long wait of about three and a half decades, now the construction work of the temple is about to be completed. This temple, to be built at a cost of Rs 31.51 crore, will be financed by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
The project was originally conceived in the 1960s. The work of realizing the dream of this project was started by the Shrine Board in the 1990s.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that the wait that has been going on for generations has ended today. Jammu and Kashmir and the country will always remember this day. He said that this is not just a religious project, but a historic step giving a new direction to faith, culture and local development.
LG Manoj Sinha, in his address, said, "We have the privilege of realizing the dream that was seen decades ago. This temple will strengthen the spiritual consciousness as well as the regional economy." He clarified that 50 commercial shops will be built within the temple complex, which will be allotted to the land owners who have donated their land for this sacred purpose. This will provide sustainable livelihood opportunity to local families.
During the programme, the Lieutenant Governor also interacted with women entrepreneurs associated with Self Help Groups (SAHAJ) of Reasi and surrounding areas. He announced that the annual purchase of puja materials and prasad will be increased from the current Rs 5 crore to Rs 12 crore.
The wait that stretched across generations has finally ended. J&K UT & the nation will remember this day forever. Laid the foundation stone of Sri Shankaracharya Temple, originally conceived in 1960s, on the adjoining hillocks of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra. pic.twitter.com/LAagRY8YAR
The LG said that this initiative will prove to be a milestone in the direction of economic empowerment of local women and will create new employment opportunities in the Katra-Reasi area. He expressed confidence that the Shri Shankaracharya Temple complex will not only become a center of faith for the devotees, but will also promote tourism and business activities.
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