SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday laid the foundation stone of the Mata Lalleshwari Cultural and Heritage Centre at Mata Bhaderkali Asthapan in Thalwal, with the project aimed at preserving and promoting the spiritual and cultural legacy of Yogini Lalleshwari.
Sanctioned under the Capex budget at an estimated cost of Rs 4.5 crore, the centre is planned to support cultural preservation, academic research, spiritual activities and wider promotion of Jammu and Kashmir’s heritage.
Addressing the gathering, Sinha said the facility would preserve Lalleshwari’s philosophy and make her teachings accessible through contemporary platforms. He said her teachings reflected values of tolerance, equality and inner transformation and transcended social divisions.
According to the Lieutenant Governor, the centre will include exhibitions, translation initiatives and archival facilities, besides supporting fellowships in Kashmir Shaivism. These facilities, he said, would provide opportunities for scholars, artists and researchers to engage with Lalleshwari’s works.
Sinha said the centre would also promote art and creative expression among youth, social harmony and national integration.
He said institutions dedicated to culture and heritage were important for preserving civilisational memory alongside economic development. The centre, he added, could contribute to spiritual tourism and economic activity by drawing seekers, historians and travellers from different parts of the world.
Referring to contemporary social challenges, Sinha said mental stress, identity-related concerns and loneliness had become issues for many people, adding that material success alone could not address the resulting sense of emptiness.
He said the teachings of saints such as Lalleshwari could offer resources for self-discipline, mental peace and emotional resilience.
Sinha also highlighted Jammu and Kashmir’s temples, pilgrimage sites and centres of spiritual practice as a foundation for promoting spiritual tourism, saying the new centre would contribute to the sector and economic activity.
Principal Secretary Culture Brij Mohan Sharma, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, IGP Jammu Tejinder Singh, DIG JSK Range Shridhar Patil, Deputy Commissioner Jammu Rakesh Minhas, Director Archives, Archaeology and Museums K K Sidha, Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner Arvind Karwani and members of the Mata Bhaderkali Asthapan Trust attended the ceremony.
Trust president Dileep Pandita, General Secretary Ashok Kaw, Organising Secretary Chand Ji Pandita, senior officials, prominent citizens and devotees were also present.
