Div Com reviews action plan to revive old Vaishno Devi Yatra route

JAMMU, March 18: Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar chaired a meeting of concerned officers today to review the action plan to revive the old Vaishno Devi Yatra route (Nagrota to Deva Mai).

Representatives of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Pracheen Marg Shrines Sanstha informed the Div Com that the old Vaishno Devi Yatra route was the only route to Vaishno Devi and groups of pilgrims used that route.

It was revealed that many ancient temples are on the route and pilgrims used to visit those temples during yatras during Navratras. They also discussed the significance and historical perspective of the ancient route, which passes through Jagdamba Mata Kheer Bhawani temple, Jagti, Durga Mata temple Pangali, Shiv temple Thandapani-Drabi, Shiv Shakti temple, Raja Mandleek temple and Raja Nowalgarh temple Marh, Kali Mata temple Gundla Talab, Ram Darbar, Shiv Temple Bamyal and Oli temple Chhapanoo-Bamyal.

The Div Com listened to the issues and gave necessary directions to the concerned department to take all possible steps to revive the route and ancient temples.

The Div Com observed that with the development of facilities, revival of ancient temples and route would boost pilgrimage tourism in the area.

He asked the Tourism department to publicize the ancient temples through hoardings at prominent locations to attract pilgrims so that Vaishno Devi pilgrims also visit these temples. The Secretary Academy of Art, Culture and Languages was directed to provide artists for jagrans and other performances at ancient temples during Navratras.

The Police and Traffic Departments were asked to ensure necessary security and traffic arrangements during navratras.

The Div Com asked the Chief Engineer PWD to immediately restore the road by filling potholes well before yatra.

Necessary directions were issued for the illumination of temples and sanitation in and around the temples.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Avny Lavasa; Deputy Director Planning, Munish Dutta; Director Rural Development, Chief Engineers of PWD, JPDCL, Secretary J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages, Deputy CEO SMVD Shrine Board, besides senior officers of Tourism, Police, Archives, Health, Traffic and other concerned officers while Deputy Commissioner Reasi participated in the meeting through video conferencing.

Convener of INTACH, S M Sahni; Coordinator, Arvind Kotwal and other members of INTACH, President and members of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Pracheen Marg Shrines Sanstha were also present in the meeting.