Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will lay the foundation stone of the Shri Shankaracharya Temple in the Trikuta Hills of Jammu and Kashmir today, marking the commencement of a project estimated to cost Rs 31.51 crore.
The temple will be located in the Trikuta Hills of Reasi district near the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. The project was first conceptualised in 1967 and is being initiated nearly six decades later.
The Shri Shankaracharya Temple complex will be dedicated to Adi Shankaracharya. The site is situated in an area that already houses the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, which attracts lakhs of devotees from across the country. Officials stated that the new temple is expected to further enhance regional tourism and religious significance.
According to officials, the state-of-the-art temple project has been conceived under the leadership of the Lieutenant Governor. Alongside the temple, a proposal has been made to establish a museum at the Mata Vaishno Devi base camp in Katra, Reasi district. The museum will display replicas and representations of major Devi pilgrimage sites across India.
The temple project includes the construction of an access road, public utilities and 50 commercial shops. The shops are intended to provide facilities for pilgrims and create employment opportunities for local residents. The estimated cost of the temple construction is Rs 31.51 crore.
In 2025, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and the concerned landowners. The temple will be constructed on 41 kanal of land donated by the landowners. The land has also been allocated for the development of a motorable access track, toilets for pilgrims and water points.
Officials stated that the project is expected to enhance the spiritual experience of devotees. Improved infrastructure and facilities are anticipated to increase the number of pilgrims visiting the region, generating local trade and employment opportunities. The temple and associated facilities are intended to ensure a comfortable and secure experience for pilgrims.
Officials further stated that the objective of the project extends beyond religious development to inclusive growth of the local community. Infrastructure development around the temple is expected to accelerate regional economic activity, with participation and cooperation from local residents aimed at sustaining the religious centre over the long term.
