Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir): The foundation stone for the Lord Venkateswara temple of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) was laid here at Jammu on Sunday and the ceremony was attended by Union ministers G Kishen Reddy and Jitendra Singh, as well as Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple and its allied infrastructure will be built on a 62.06-acre piece of land at Majeen village near Jammu. The temple's administration will be under the TTD of Andhra Pradesh. TTD Trust Board chairman Y V Subba Reddy along with other board members, including legislators, attended the ceremony. Many local political leaders, civil and police officers and heads of urban local bodies and panchayat raj institutions were also part of this event.
The Jammu and Kashmir administrative council, headed by Lt Governor Sinha, on April 1 had approved a proposal to allot land to the TTD for building the temple and its allied infrastructure on a lease basis for a period of 40 years. Subsequently, 62.02 acres of land at Majeed was given to the TTD for building the temple, amenities for pilgrims, a Veda Patashala, a spiritual and meditation centre, an office, residential quarters and parking. The arrival of the TTD in Jammu and Kashmir will tap the tourism potential, particularly pilgrim tourism in Jammu, besides enhancing economic activities, an official spokesman said.
"Once developed, the TTD infrastructure will be an attraction for pilgrims and tourists in addition to the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and Amarnathji Shrine," he said, adding that this development will contribute to the economic growth of the region. Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina, who was those who attended the event, said, "Jammu is a city of temples and the addition of the most revered Balaji temple in the city would benefit the people." He said the construction of the Balaji temple is a blessing for the Union Territory and its adjoining states as people will get an opportunity to pray here instead of travelling to Andhra Pradesh.
Raina said the allied infrastructure, including educational institutions and hospitals, would benefit people and generate economic activities. "It will be an addition in the circuit of various important religious places, including the Vaishno Devi shrine, Bawe Wali Mata, Raghunath temple and Amarnath shrine," he said. National Conference provincial president Devender Singh Rana expressed hope that the local people would be provided jobs and ample opportunities in the construction activities of the temple. "We are hopeful that it will become a major attraction for the people of northern India and will give a boost to religious tourism," he said.
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Lord Balaji temple in Jammu to be constructed in two phases in 18 months: L-G Sinha
Describing the 'Bhoomi Puja' ceremony of Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple here as a "historic and proud day" for Jammu and Kashmir, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said the temple is expected to be constructed in 18 months in two phases at a cost of Rs 33.22 crore. Sinha said the construction of the temple would open up opportunities across sectors and would certainly change the economy of the region. In a series of tweets, the office of the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor said the much-awaited 'Bhoomi Pujan' ceremony of Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple by Tirumala Tirupati Devastanam (TTD) was held at Majeed here.
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“Took part in Bhoomi Pujan and unveiled the plaque to mark the laying of the foundation stone in presence of Union MoS Dr Jitendra Singh, Union MoS G Kishan Reddy, Chairman TTD Board and other dignitaries,” Sinha said.
He expressed sincere gratitude towards the TTD Board and the Union government for fulfilling the long pending wish of the people of J&K and north India for establishing the temple of Lord Balaji on the land of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi. "It is a historic and proud day for J&K. Lord Balaji's divine blessing is a state of inner celebration. Veda Patashala in the second phase will strengthen the foundation of Indian culture,” the Lt Governor said. He said the construction of the temple would also open up opportunities across sectors and it will certainly change the economy of the region. Spread over 62 acres, the temple is expected to be completed in 18 months in two phases, costing Rs 33.22 crore, giving a major push to pilgrimage and religious tourism in Jammu, the Lt Governor said.
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