International Museum of Goddess Katra: Jammu & Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha Chairs High-Level Meet on World-Class Spiritual Landmark
JAMMU, May 21, 2026 — Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha chaired a high-level meeting to discuss the establishment of a state-of-the-art International Museum of Goddess at Katra, the base camp of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. The meeting was attended by prominent members of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB)—including Smt. Sudha Murty and Mahamandleshwar Shri Swami Vishveshvaranand Giriji Maharaj—alongside top academic, administrative, and Sanskrit scholars. Envisioned as a world-class spiritual and cultural landmark, the proposed museum aims to offer pilgrims a deeper understanding of Mata Shakti by seamlessly blending immersive storytelling, historical artifacts, and rich local traditions with cutting-edge modern technology. The institution will showcase the sacred iconography of the 51 Shakti Peethas alongside the nine divine Swaroops of Maa Durga, functioning as both a spiritual sanctuary and a premier center of knowledge.
To accelerate the prestigious project, the Shrine Board approved the creation of a permanent Director General post to lead a dedicated team of experts, while also greenlighting a dedicated corpus of funds for its conceptualization, development, and ongoing operations. Highlighting the progress made so far, SMVDSB Chief Executive Officer Shri Sachin Kumar Vaishya briefed the chair on the launch of a global suggestion portal, study visits to India’s premier museums, and the identification of leading domain experts. Moving forward, Lieutenant Governor Sinha suggested deputing a specialized team to visit the featured Shaktipeeths for authentic research, while the Board resolved to appoint a consultant to spearhead the museum’s architectural design. Complete with an integrated library and research center, the International Museum of Goddess is slated to play a pivotal role in educating and awakening the younger generation to India’s rich cultural, traditional, and spiritual values.