₹31.51 crore project to be funded by Shrine Board; shops for land donors, push for local economy and women entrepreneurs
KATRA, FEBRUARY 18: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday laid the foundation stone of the long-awaited Sri Shankaracharya Temple in Katra, marking the beginning of a project envisioned in the 1960s.
The temple complex, to be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹31.51 crore, will be fully funded by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB).
The Lieutenant Governor also announced that 50 commercial shops will be built within the temple complex and allotted to landowners who donated land for the project. An MoU in this regard was signed in 2025, under which the landowners agreed to donate 41 kanals of land for the sacred cause.
Addressing the gathering, LG Sinha said the Sri Shankaracharya Temple would serve as a spiritual anchor for millions of devotees and strengthen the region’s religious and cultural identity.
“Devotees visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi will also come to this temple, generating economic momentum in the region. It will create employment, support local businesses and accelerate development,” he said.
During his visit, the Lieutenant Governor also presided over the ‘Samridh Nari, Samridh Bharat’ programme at the Spiritual Growth Centre and interacted with women entrepreneurs from self-help groups (SHGs) in Reasi and adjoining areas.
He reiterated the Shrine Board’s commitment to keeping spiritual hubs vibrant while ensuring the comfort, safety and dignity of pilgrims. “When sacred sites thrive, they renew faith and open pathways to progress,” he said.
Highlighting community welfare initiatives, the LG said the Shrine Board has generated local employment, supported business activity and contributed to the region’s social and cultural development.
He said the Board is enhancing annual procurement of puja samagri and prasad from SHGs from the current ₹5 crore to ₹12 crore, with plans to scale it further in the coming years. The initiative will bring 20 additional self-help groups into the supply chain, benefiting around 1,500 women from Reasi, Udhampur and Jammu districts.
The Lieutenant Governor also spoke about the Gurukul initiative aimed at promoting Vedic education and nurturing youth to uphold traditional values and religious practices.
Sharing his vision for Katra, he said the town would develop a distinct global identity, attracting investment, modern infrastructure and greater opportunities for youth.
The event was attended by members of the Shrine Board, senior civil and police officials, and representatives of women self-help groups.
