First-of-its-kind museum to showcase Devi traditions, Shakti Peeths; work to begin soon
BuzzBytes
Jammu, Jan 31
A first-of-its-kind International Museum of Goddess, dedicated exclusively to goddesses, will be established at Katra, the base camp of the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said experts have already been assigned to the ambitious project and expressed hope that work on the museum would begin soon.
“The first ever International Museum of Goddess in the country is set to come up in Katra. I believe Katra, and indeed the entire nation, will take pride in this museum,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Katra is home to the revered cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, located in the Trikuta hills, which attracts nearly 80 to 90 lakh pilgrims every year from India and abroad.
According to officials, the proposed museum will house replicas and representations of major Shakti Peeths and prominent temples dedicated to various devis across the country. The initiative aims to highlight the spiritual, cultural and historical heritage associated with Goddess Vaishno Devi and the surrounding region.
The museum is envisioned as a world-class institution that will document legends, traditions, artefacts and historical narratives linked not only to the Vaishno Devi shrine but also to the broader Devi and Shakti worship traditions of India. Visitors will gain deeper insights into the evolution of faith, art and architecture connected with pilgrimage practices.
Officials said the project is expected to strengthen Katra’s position as a major pilgrimage and tourism destination and develop it into a global centre for research and knowledge related to Devi traditions.
“It will be a major step towards preserving and showcasing India’s rich spiritual and cultural legacy,” they said.
Besides enhancing Katra’s global spiritual identity, the project is also expected to boost heritage tourism, generate employment opportunities and support the local economy. The initiative aligns with the Lieutenant Governor’s broader vision of promoting cultural heritage, tourism development and sustainable growth in Jammu and Kashmir.
