In Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today laid the foundation stone for the Shankaracharya Temple in Katra, marking a significant addition to the religious and spiritual infrastructure of the pilgrimage town. An Akashvani Jammu correspondent reports that the ceremony was conducted with traditional rituals and Vedic chanting in the presence of senior officials, members of the shrine board, religious leaders, and devotees. The proposed temple is envisioned as a prominent spiritual landmark that will enhance the religious landscape of Katra, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the revered Vaishno Devi Temple. Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor emphasized the importance of preserving India's spiritual traditions while simultaneously developing world-class facilities for devotees. He stated that the temple would serve as a center of faith, knowledge, and cultural pride for generations to come. The foundation stone ceremony reflects the administration's continued commitment to boosting religious tourism and holistic development in Jammu and Kashmir. This state-of-the-art temple is another ambitious project conceived under the leadership of the LG, following the proposal for a museum of goddesses comprising replicas and representations of major 'Devi' pilgrimage sites from across India, which is also proposed to come up at Katra, the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi in Reasi district. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has proposed the construction of the Shri Shankaracharya temple, along with an access road, associated public utilities, and 50 commercial shops for landowners, at an estimated cost of Rs. 31.51 crore. The temple will be built on 41 kanals of land donated by the landowners for the construction of a motorable access track and the creation of essential pilgrim amenities, including toilets and water points, at the proposed site. The project is expected to significantly enhance the spiritual experience of devotees while also boosting regional economic activity through improved infrastructure and employment opportunities.