Deep Sharma
Jammu: Preparations are gathering pace for the proposed International Devi Museum in Katra, with the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board considering the laying of its foundation stone during the upcoming Sharad Navratri.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha may lay the foundation stone during the Navratri period beginning October 11, according to officials familiar with the project.
The museum is proposed to come up on around 10 acres of land at Mitali, near the Katra railway station, at an estimated cost of around Rs 200 crore, including the cost of land.
The project is being planned as an international-level centre dedicated to the spiritual, cultural and historical heritage associated with Devi and Shakti worship across India.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has already initiated preparatory work, including research, documentation and design development.
Sinha recently reviewed the progress of the project during a special meeting of the Shrine Board and directed the constitution of a dedicated project team for its time-bound implementation.
For the museum’s design, a consortium of BRMA and Tata Ecofirst Services Limited has been approved, while a consultant has also been appointed for the project.
As part of the preparatory exercise, the Shrine Board is undertaking fieldwork and documentation of major Devi temples and Shakti Peethas across the country. The exercise covers their history, traditions, cultural practices and architectural heritage.
The board has also invited suggestions from across the world on the proposed concept and design of the museum.
The proposed museum will use modern technology to present India’s diverse Devi and Shakti traditions.
It is planned to showcase major Shakti Peethas, prominent Devi pilgrimage centres, the nine forms of Goddess Durga and traditions associated with the 51 Shakti Peethas.
A dedicated research and knowledge centre is also proposed, along with sound-and-light shows, documentaries and displays of rare artefacts related to Devi traditions.
The museum is being conceived as a centre for documenting, preserving and presenting India’s diverse Shakti heritage, besides providing visitors and researchers with access to historical and cultural material related to Devi worship.
The Shrine Board had accorded in-principle approval to the project in February 2026. Meetings held in May and September subsequently focused on the project roadmap and design.
The project has been assigned a three-year completion target, subject to execution of the construction and associated works as scheduled.
Located near the starting point of the Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, the proposed museum is intended to provide a dedicated platform for showcasing the country’s rich Devi and Shakti traditions.
