Reviving Purmandal’s Glory in J&K: LG Manoj Sinha on Development, Heritage & Devotion I commend the outstanding efforts of the Tirtha Trust in preserving the rich spiritual and cultural heritage of this region. I see this area of Purmandal Temple as a confluence of faith diversity and cultural unity where Lord Bholenath resides and where, by his grace, the devotees of Jammu and Kashmir get the opportunity of self-purification and self-realization, said the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha. If I have to describe in words the glory and beauty of Purmandal, I would say that it symbolizes the soul of our eternal culture. For centuries, with the blessings of Mahadev, new perspectives, new thinking and new ideas have been sprouting in Purmandal for the devotees, which have given a new direction to the nation and the society. I believe that the darshan of Lord Shiva here in the Umapati Mahadev temple and his blessings that are showered every year remind us that just as gold shines after coming out of fire, similarly the spiritual energy generated by bathing and meditation here works to make the soul shine again. On December 15, 2020, I had the privilege of visiting Purmandal for the first time. And under the leadership of Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi ji, the Jammu and Kashmir administration planned to start the development of Purmandal Circuit. Around 14 projects were started at a cost of Rs 9 crore 67 lakh. Six of these have been completed and work is going on in others, these too will be completed soon, LG said. The demands for a Purmandal Degree College were placed before me the last time I visited. The Purmandal Degree College, built at a cost of approximately Rs 10 crore, is ready and will be handed over to the Higher Education Department next month. And I think a good centre of education will be started in Purmandal, said the Lieutenant Governor. He said that the dedication with which work has been done or is being done for the development of this area and to restore its old glory is definitely a good example. Last year, the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board constructed five temples in Reasi district at a cost of Rs 1 crore. And this year again, the construction of five temples has started at a cost of Rs 1 crore. This time, many schools in Reasi were completely destroyed in the floods. The Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has reconstructed 13 government schools around Katra at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore, LG shared. We want to build the foundation of modern Jammu and Kashmir on the hard work and sacrifice of our police personnel, soldiers, youth, women and conscious citizens. Today, in this holy abode of Lord Bholenath, we all should take a pledge that we will not let their hard work and sacrifice go in vain. The efforts made by the Honourable Prime Minister in the last five to four years for the economic and social development, spiritual and cultural restoration, peace and stability of Jammu and Kashmir are being appreciated throughout the country, LG stated.
