Jammu, October 1: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has approved a provision of Rs 15 crore for the restoration and development of the traditional pilgrimage route leading towards the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said.
The historic route, which once served as an important path for pilgrims travelling towards the shrine, passes through several villages and heritage sites in the Jammu region. The route includes stretches through areas such as Nagrota, Pangali, Thandapani, Mard and other settlements before connecting towards the Katra side.
The restoration initiative is aimed at reviving the heritage character of the route while improving its infrastructure and making it more accessible. The project also has a cultural dimension, with several old temples, water bodies and other heritage features located along the traditional pilgrimage path.
According to available details, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has been involved in preparing plans for the restoration of the historic route and documenting heritage assets along the trail. Work related to the restoration of temples along the route has also been taken up by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
The revival of the traditional route is also expected to support pilgrimage and heritage tourism in the Jammu region, while creating opportunities for local communities located along the route. The project could help reconnect pilgrims with a historic pathway that was used before the development of the present pilgrimage routes.
The government’s reported allocation comes amid broader efforts to promote Jammu as a pilgrimage and heritage tourism destination. The administration has also been discussing the development of a wider Jammu pilgrimage circuit to showcase religious and cultural destinations across the region.
