Jammu, May 21: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to review preparations for the proposed International Museum of Goddess at Katra, a major spiritual and cultural initiative aimed at preserving and promoting the heritage of Mata Shakti.
The meeting was attended by members of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, scholars, academicians, spiritual leaders, and senior government officials, who discussed various aspects related to the development of the museum.
Among those present were Mahamandleshwar Swami Vishveshvaranand Giriji Maharaj, Sudha Murty, Dr. Ashok Bhan, Gunjan Rana, Dr. K.K. Talwar, Kulbhushan Ahuja, Lalit Bhasin, and Suresh Kumar Sharma.
Senior officials and experts including Prof. Vishwa Murti Shastri, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar, Vice-Chancellor of University of Jammu Prof. Umesh Rai, and Cluster University Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.S. Chandrasekar also attended the meeting.
During the discussions, participants suggested measures to develop the museum as a spiritual and cultural destination showcasing the heritage of Mata Shakti through traditional art forms, artifacts, research material, and modern presentation technologies.
Officials informed the meeting that the museum is proposed to feature the sacred iconography of 51 Shakti Peethas along with the nine forms of Maa Durga.
The CEO of the Shrine Board briefed attendees about the steps taken so far, including the launch of a dedicated website for public suggestions, study visits to prominent museums across the country, and consultations with subject experts for project planning.
The Board approved the creation of a permanent post of Director General for the International Museum of Goddess, who will oversee the institution with the support of a dedicated administrative and expert team. A separate corpus fund for the development and operation of the project was also approved.
During the meeting, the Lieutenant Governor directed expert teams to visit major Shakti Peethas proposed to be showcased in the museum for documentation and research purposes. The Board also decided to appoint a specialized consultant for architectural planning and conceptual design.
Officials stated that the museum is expected to function as a centre for spirituality, research, and learning, and will include a library and research centre focused on preserving and promoting the cultural and spiritual heritage associated with Shakti traditions.
