India is one from Kashmir to Kanyakumari : Union Minister Reddy
This Vikas Tirth is a celebration of India’s unity in diversity: Dr Jitendra
Srinagar, June 08: The second temple of Sri Venkateswara Swamy (Tirupati Balaji) in northern India was thrown open Thursday to people in the picturesque Shivalik forests in the Majeen area on the outskirts of Jammu city.
Constructed at Rs 33.22 crore over 62 acres of land on a similar pattern to the famous temple of Tirupati Balaji in the hill town Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh, the temple is the sixth built by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) outside the southern state and first in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
The function of ‘Maha Samprokshanam’ of Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple was attended by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha along with Union Ministers G Kishan Reddy, Dr Jitendra Singh, Chairman, TTD, Y V Subba Reddy.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, accompanied by Union Ministers G Kishan Reddy and Dr Jitendra Singh, dedicated the temple to the public amidst the chanting of religious mantras.
After paying their obeisance at the sanctity sanctum, the dignitaries attended the dedication ceremony of Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple.
Speaking at the inauguration of Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that it is a historic moment in the Sanatan journey of J&K and the country, adding that the dedication of temple will give a major boost to spiritual tourism and also to the economic development and employment opportunities in the Union Territory.
Sinha also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism for accelerating development and tourism promotion in J&K.
“ Union Home Minister Amit Shah was expected to grace today’s occasion with his presence but due to some indispensable work, he couldn’t join us. He has conveyed his best wishes and told me his future event in Jammu will start only after paying obeisance to Sri Venkateswara Swamy,’’ LG said.
“The dedication of Lord Venkateswara temple will strengthen the religious tourism circuit in J&K. It will give a boost to spiritual tourism and a major fillip to the economic development and employment opportunities in the Union Territory,” he said.
“We are also grateful to the Y.V. Subba Reddy, Chairman, TTD and other Board members for the establishment of Sri Venkateswara’s temple on the land of spirituality and wisdom and to the people of J&K for their cooperation, he said,” Lt. Governor said while acknowledging the hard work of the workforce engaged in the construction of the temple.
The LG said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji, Jammu Kashmir is witnessing faster economic development and revival of culture in Amrit Kaal. The Union Territory is touching new heights of glory, divinity and development in its eternal journey, he said.
“The UT of Jammu Kashmir is looking ahead to a bright future. It is our collective responsibility to contribute to the task of socio-economic growth and to ensure participation and empowerment of the common man,” he said.
The Lt Governor said, along with the unprecedented development, the spiritual aspect of Jammu Kashmir is also scaling new heights.
He said the holy shrines of Sri Venkateswara, Baba Amarnath, Mata Vaishno Devi, Mata Sharda, Shiv Khori, Adi Shankaracharya Temple, Dargah Hazratbal and other prominent religious places and Sufi shrines in the UT will not only boost tourism but also develop Jammu Kashmir as the cultural-spiritual capital of the country, he added.
The Lt Governor lauded Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Shri Kailash Jyotish and Vedic Sansthan and other organizations for their immense contribution in promoting Vedic culture and traditions.
“I am confident Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams will develop as Ved Pathshala and Health Centre on priority, ” he said.
“Lord Venkateswara maintains this world and he is the very basis of existence. His divine blessings continue to guide the journey of Atma-Nirbhar Bharat and ensure peace and prosperity in the lives of people,” the Lt Governor said.
On the occasion, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism G. Kishan Reddy congratulated the people, J&K Government and all the devotees of Sri Venkateswara.
“The temple at Jammu will carry the message in the world that Kashmir to Kanyakumari, India is one. This will be a centre of spirituality and Sanatan traditions,” he said.
Reddy said, with the establishment of ‘Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple’ at Jammu, it has been proved again to the world that Kashmir to Kanyakumari is one. ‘’The ancient civilization is being revived under PM Narendra Modi,’’ he said.
The union minister said that it is the result of the devotion and commitment of the Lt Governor of J&K and Chairman and Board members of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams that Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple is completed in a short span.
He said the devotees of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and other prominent religious places can also seek the blessings of Sri Venkateswara Swamy at Jammu.
Speaking on the occasion, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said the inauguration of Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple is a historic moment in the Sanatan journey of J&K and the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State, Dr Jitendra Singh said the historic day will script a new milestone in the development journey of J&K UT.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said, the establishment of Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Jammu is a celebration of Idea of India and is a festival of India’s ‘Unity in Diversity’. The temple being first in Jammu and Kashmir and sixth in India will pave the way for Jammu to become the top religious tourism destination in India, he said.
Under PM Narendra Modi, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that “with the inauguration of Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Jammu, we have achieved a milestone in the journey of development of Jammu.’’
Dr Jitendra Singh further said, the whole country is now integrated under PM Narendra Modi from East to West from North to South and the ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’ organised in Varanasi and ‘Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple’ at Jammu is the best examples of it with the objective to celebrate, reaffirm and rediscover the age-old links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi, two of the country’s most important and ancient seats of learning,” he added.
Dr Singh said this Vikas Tirth is a celebration of India’s unity in diversity and also signifies Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji’s vision of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, he added.
Y.V. Subba Reddy, Chairman, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Trust Board expressed gratitude to the Government of India and the Lt Governor led UT Government for their support and cooperation. I pray to Lord Venkateswara to bless the people of Jammu Kashmir with love, peace and prosperity,” he said.
Bharat Bhushan, Chairman DDC Jammu; Jugal Kishore Sharma, Member Parliament; Sh Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Lt Governor; Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; TTD board members, senior officials of Police and Civil administration, religious heads, political leaders and devotees in large numbers attended the historic inaugural ceremony.
Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple Jammu will celebrate richness of our heritage: PM
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has said that Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple Jammu will deepen the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.’
In a reply to a tweet thread by the Union Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh in which he said that Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple (Tirupati Balaji Mandir) at Jammu adds one more destination to the religious tourism circuit centring around Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.
“After Tamil-Kashi Sangam and the Sengol, this too signifies PM Narendra Modi’s vision to link diverse Indian cultures in a single chord,” he said.
In a reply, the Prime Minister Modi wrote “This will celebrate the richness of our heritage and will deepen the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat”.
