SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department has no proposal under consideration to develop a dedicated pilgrimage circuit linking major temples and religious sites in Jammu, including Raghunath Ji Temple, Bawe Wali Mata, Mahamaya Temple, Peerkhoh, Jamwant Ji Guffa, Kol Kandoli Nagrota, Panjwakhtar Mandir and Tirupati Balaji Temple.
The Government, however, has earmarked Rs 2.87 crore under the 2026-27 Capex Plan for development of religious tourism in Jammu Division, while separate infrastructure projects are under execution or preparation at some of the proposed sites.
The details were provided in a written reply to Un-Starred A.Q. No. 1/6/51 tabled by Jammu West MLA Arvind Gupta in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
The Tourism Department said Rs 39.99 lakh has been spent on facade lighting at Raghunath Mandir, with the work completed. Another project for upgradation of existing halls and allied works at Mahamaya Temple is under execution at a cost of Rs 29.99 lakh under the 2026-27 Capex Budget.
For Peerkhoh Temple, the Jammu Municipal Corporation has prepared a Detailed Project Report titled “Heritage Trail and Beautification of Route Leading to Historic Peerkho Mandir, Ward No. 3”. The DPR, estimated at Rs 651.37 lakh, covers improvement of basic infrastructure in and around the temple, and consultancy tenders have been floated.
Jammu Smart City Limited has also taken up a “Temple Corridor (Bawe-Har Ki Paudi-Mahamaya)” project. The project has been allotted and work is expected to begin shortly.
The Government said the Tourism Department earmarks funds every year under the Capex Plan for infrastructure development at religious and pilgrimage destinations across Jammu and Kashmir, with the stated objective of supporting economic activity and employment for local communities, traders, transporters and artisans.
On promotion and branding, the department said it had adopted multiple publicity and advertising measures to increase visitor footfall to Jammu’s destinations throughout the year.
It reported participation in seven national travel marts between April 2025 and March 2026, including the Great Indian Travel Bazaar in Jaipur, TTF Ahmedabad, the IATO Annual Convention in Puri, ITM Jaipur, IITE Madurai, SATTE-2026 in New Delhi and ITM Dehradun.
At the international level, the department participated in IFTM Top Resa in Paris and World Travel Market in London during 2025.
The department also reported organising or participating in 110 events and festivals between April 1, 2025 and March 2026, followed by 43 events between April 1 and August 2026.
The Tourism Department said the combination of events, travel marts and publicity activities was aimed at promoting Jammu and Kashmir’s destinations nationally and internationally and attracting visitors throughout the year.
