Jammu May 03: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devender Singh Rana on Friday called for restoring the pristine glory of the ancient heritage temples and shrines for posterity to remain connected with their spiritual moorings and civilisation.
Interacting with a delegation of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Pracheen Marg Shrine Sanstha here this evening, Rana complimented the office for their relentless efforts in promoting the ancient heritage route to Shri Mata Vaishno Deviji Cave Shrine from Kol Kandoli Temple in Nagrota.
“This route will bestow an added spiritual bliss to pilgrims thronging from across the country and abroad and give renewed impetus to the Jammu economy,” Rana said while responding to the gratitude expressed by the Sanastha for his support in bringing this route under focus.
The BJP leader highlighted the efforts being made over the years to explore this route optimally after carrying out detailed mapping by experts of all the important heritage assets like step-wells, ponds, Sarais, wells, temples and springs along the trails, which were once used and maintained by the pilgrims.
The route starts from Kol Kandoli (Nagrota) on the National Highway 1A and 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, Drabi, Kali Mata Temple – Gundla Talab, Ram Darbar, Shiv Temple- Bamyal and Oli Temple Chhapanoo-Bamyal.
“By reviving this route, the devotees could go back home after paying obeisance at the Durbar of the Mata with the enlightenment they have been searching for all their lives,” he added.
“Apart from the spiritual aspect of the yatra, the promotion of Pracheen Marg will bring Jammu under focus and transform the economy of the peripheries from the city up to the cave shrine,” Devender said, adding that the pilgrim tourism has sustained the economy of Jammu and Kashmir in general and this region in particular during most difficult times. He said that for the last four years, pilgrim tourism has gained momentum.
Rana called for a proactive approach in the execution of various projects related to pilgrim sites, saying the ancient link, passing through serene environs and spiritual ambience, offers spiritual solace and Darshan of several revered temples which used to pre-requisite before embarking on the yatra to holy Bhawan on Trikuta Hills over seven decades ago.
