Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 2: Advocate Purnima Sharma, Spokesperson of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Jammu and Kashmir and former Deputy Mayor, today laid stress upon the preservation of heritage temples of the Union Territory.
The senior BJP leader was speaking after kick-starting the renovation work at the ancient Mata Chintpurni Temple at Circular Road in Jammu, with an estimated cost of Rs 16 lakhs. She lauded the efforts of J&K Dharmarth Trust which is playing a vital role in maintaining and preserving the heritage temples of Jammu and Kashmir.
Adv Purnima Sharma asserted that religious tourism is going to touch new heights in the coming times in the Jammu region. She asserted that the Government at the Centre is committed to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir. She said that the renovation of the Chintpurni Temple is a step in that direction.
Purnima Sharma said that funds are no constraint for the Centre whenever it is a question of developmental activities in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory while at the same time, it must be ensured that every penny granted by the Centre is used specifically for the purpose sans any pilferage.
The senior BJP leader said that the tourism sector of J&K is also a vital component of the UTs developmental journey in which religious tourism in the form of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine pilgrims has already been playing a vital role. She said, “It is our collective responsibility to contribute to the task of socio-economic growth through various projects including those pertaining to religious tourism and to ensure desired results.”
Purnima said that renovation of the Chintpurni Temple will boost religious tourism in the Jammu region and the temple will attract more pilgrims and tourists from across the country.
The former Deputy Mayor asserted that the Government is strongly determined to expand the religious tourism corridor of Jammu thus paving the way for Jammu to become the top religious tourism destination in India. She urged the people of Jammu to support the Government in its efforts to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of the region.