Sudha Murty among 9 new faces in revamped Vaishno Devi Shrine Board

The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, who also serves as the Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, has reconstituted the board and appointed nine new members for a term of three years. 

The notification regarding the reconstitution of the Board was approved by Sinha.

The newly nominated members come from diverse backgrounds and include renowned author and philanthropist Sudha Murty, spiritual leader Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vishveshvaranand Giriji Maharaj, former IPS officer Dr Ashok Bhan, retired IAS officer Baleshwar Rai, Gunjan Rana, medical expert Dr K.K. Talwar, Kulbhushan Ahuja, senior advocate Lalit Bhasin, and Suresh Kumar Sharma.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine (SMVD), located in the Trikuta Hills of Jammu’s Reasi district, is one of the most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites in India. Dedicated to Goddess Vaishno Devi, it attracts millions of devotees from across the country and abroad every year. 

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The pilgrimage to the holy cave, situated at an altitude of over 5,000 feet, is considered spiritually significant and is often described as a journey of faith and devotion.

The SMVD is responsible for managing the operations, infrastructure, and facilities associated with the pilgrimage and shrine complex. Its reconstitution is seen as an important step in ensuring better governance, efficient service delivery to pilgrims, and preservation of the sanctity of the holy site.

The shrine attracts lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad throughout the year. After India launched Operation Sindoor to retaliate against the April 22 Pahalgam attack that saw 25 tourists and a local horse ride operator killed by terrorists, the arrival of devotees decreased due to four days of military confrontation between India and Pakistan. However, the SMVD has taken some steps, including free food and accommodation, to win back devotees.

The flow of devotees around the year helps Katra's economy, providing employment for hundreds of  people, including hoteliers, shopkeepers, porters and pony walls.

India