Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday announced plans for an International Museum of Goddess at Katra and also inaugurated the newly developed Vaishno Devi Helipad project aimed at improving facilities for pilgrims visiting the shrine.
The Lieutenant Governor said the proposed museum would showcase the spiritual, cultural and historical significance of Goddess traditions from different parts of India and the world. The project is expected to become a major attraction for devotees and tourists visiting Katra, the base camp for the pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.
Speaking during the inauguration programme, Sinha said the museum would highlight India’s rich heritage of Shakti worship and provide visitors with a deeper understanding of various goddess traditions, mythology, folk practices and temple culture. He added that the initiative is part of broader efforts to promote spiritual tourism and improve infrastructure in the region.
The newly inaugurated helipad facility has been developed to strengthen connectivity for pilgrims travelling to the Vaishno Devi shrine. Officials said the upgraded infrastructure would help improve safety, operational efficiency and passenger handling capacity, especially during peak pilgrimage seasons.
Authorities believe the enhanced helicopter services will benefit elderly pilgrims, differently-abled visitors and those unable to undertake the steep trek to the shrine. The project is also expected to support emergency medical evacuations and disaster response operations when needed.
During the event, the Lieutenant Governor said the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has been continuously working to modernise facilities for devotees while maintaining the spiritual and environmental character of the pilgrimage route. He highlighted recent projects including improved accommodation, better sanitation systems and digital services for pilgrims.
The announcement of the International Museum of Goddess has generated interest among cultural scholars and tourism experts, who believe the museum could become an important centre for research and heritage preservation related to goddess worship traditions.
Katra has witnessed major infrastructure development over the past few years as authorities attempt to strengthen religious tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. The Vaishno Devi shrine remains one of the most visited pilgrimage destinations in India, attracting millions of devotees annually.
Officials said detailed planning and design work for the museum project will begin soon, while further expansion of pilgrim facilities in and around Katra is also under consideration.
