Has the Foundation of Shri Shankaracharya Temple Been Laid by J&K LG?
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Jammu, Feb 18 (NationPress) In a momentous occasion for Jammu and Kashmir, Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha officially inaugurated the groundwork for the Shankaracharya Temple, located on the hills adjacent to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Reasi district.
According to officials, after a prolonged wait of six decades, Jammu and Kashmir has finally celebrated the laying of the foundation for the Shri Shankaracharya Temple.
The vision for constructing this temple originated in 1967. In 2025, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) and the relevant landowners.
The landowners have graciously agreed to donate 41 Kanals of land to create a motorable pathway and essential facilities for pilgrims, such as restrooms and water points at the Shankaracharya Ji Temple. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has proposed building the temple, access routes, supporting public utilities, and 50 commercial shops for landowners, with a projected total cost of Rs. 31.51 crore.
The Shri Shankaracharya Ji Temple is set to enhance the spiritual lives of countless devotees while also stimulating significant local economic growth.
The SMVDSB is committed to ensuring this spiritual hub remains dynamic and focused on the well-being of devotees, while also supporting the prosperity of local communities.
“This is a moment that will be etched in our hearts and in the annals of history,” expressed local residents.
Since assuming his role as Lt. Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and ex officio chairman of MVDSB, Manoj Sinha has made substantial contributions to the development of historical religious and cultural sites that reflect the rich, diverse heritage of the union territory.
In addition to the renovation and revival of Hindu religious sites, Manoj Sinha is also dedicated to the simultaneous development and uplifting of Muslim and Sikh religious sites in Jammu and Kashmir.