In a significant development for the tourism industry in Jammu, the upcoming inauguration of the Tirupati Balaji Temple complex is set to attract visitors and boost local businesses. The construction work on the temple and its supporting facilities has reached its final stages, and the site is scheduled to welcome devotees starting on June 8. Spanning over 62 acres of land near Majeen village, this temple complex, with an estimated cost of Rs 30 crore, is poised to become one of the largest temples in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Project and Expected Opening
According to the Chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), YV Subba Reddy, the rituals and practices followed at this temple will be akin to those observed at the renowned Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh. Positioned along the Jammu-Katra road, the Tirupati Balaji Temple is conveniently accessible, and its location holds strategic importance, connecting popular religious tourist destinations like the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and the Amarnath Yatra route. Consequently, it is anticipated that pilgrims will be inclined to include this temple visit as part of their religious tourism packages in the near future. Construction on the temple commenced in 2021 after the TTD was granted a 40-year lease on a significant parcel of land near Majeen Village. This lease facilitated the development of the temple along with essential infrastructure, including parking facilities, lodging options, a toilet complex, a meditation centre, and a Vedic school. The inaugural ceremony on June 4 will feature a special puja performed by the priests, followed by the temple's official opening to pilgrims on June 8, which Lt Governor Manoj Sinha will officiate. Notably, the Chairman of the TTD, YV Subba Reddy, along with other board members and priests, is expected to join the event.
It is worth mentioning that the TTD has already established Balaji temples in Hyderabad, Chennai, Kanyakumari, Delhi, and Bhubaneswar. The construction of the Tirupati Balaji Temple in Jammu marks the sixth temple to be built outside of Andhra Pradesh, further expanding the reach and influence of the TTD beyond its origins.
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