Rana E-launches INTACH restoration of ancient Oli Temple on old Vaishno Devi route

JAMMU – Launching the restoration project of heritage Oli Temple at Bamyal Nagrota on the ancient Shri Mata Vaishno Devi route, Senior BJP leader Mr Devender Singh Rana today exuded confidence that the revival of the centuries old link will connect the devout with their spiritual moorings.

Mr Rana launched the project, initiated by Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) in virtual mode in the presence of the Convener of its Jammu Chapter Mr S. S Sawhney and others.

The BJP leader underscored the historical and religious significance of the Oli Temple at the Yogabhoomi of Nagrota and said the efforts of the revival of the original route to the holy cave shrine at Trikuta Hills– passing through Kol Kandoli Temple Nagrota, Durga Mata temple – Pangali, Shiv temple – Thandapani – Drabi, Shiv Shakti temple – Marh, Drabi, Kali Mata temple – Gundla Talab, Ram Darbar and Shiv temple – Bamyal , Oli temple Chhapanoo-Bamyal will go a long way in seeking the spiritual bliss by the pilgrims and giving economic fillip to the areas enroute the track.

Mr Rana said he had all along been thinking why this monumental heritage route has suffered neglect for decades even though the bliss of revered shrines on Trikuta Hills had transcended continents.

“We have been envisioning restoration of this route and the firm resolve of the people have made it possible to undertake the pilgrimage through the Pracheen or ancient route”, Mr Rana said, hoping the effort will get momentum in years to come, which will be a major step towards creating pilgrims interest in the area.

“The pilgrims used to go to Mata Vaishno Devi via this route prior to 1947”, he added.

Mr Rana hoped that the conservation work of the assets like step-wells, ponds, saarais, wells, temples and springs along the trails on the old Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine route will be taken up as per the detailed project prepared by the INTACH. He expressed happiness over the initiation of the renovation work.

Mr Rana also appreciated the efforts of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Sanstha – Marh, Bamyal, headed by Harbans Singh and his team Randeep Singh, Ashok Kumar, Jagdish Raj, Sanjeev Kumar, Rakesh Kumar, Puran Chand, Vinod Kumar, Jadgish Kumar, Kartar Chand and others for their relentless efforts in restoration of the project.

Expressing his gratitude to Mr. S. S. Sawhney, Convener INTACH Jammu Chapter, Mr. Arvind Kotwal, Coordinator Heritage Tourism, Jammu Chapter and Mr. Kirpal Singh, Life Member of the INTACH, Mr Rana hoped that their efforts in getting this prestigious project, as also the other projects in the pipeline, will be accomplished in a time bound manner.

Mr. S. S. Sawhney, Convener INTACH Jammu Chapter gave an overview of the restoration project, saying the support of the locals has been a motivating force for the entire team to go ahead with the work in a mission mode.

Mr Sawhney said the entire project of reviving the ancient route will transform the landscape of the area

Prominent among those present at the Oli Temple included , Sarpanch Bamyal Ghulam Mustafa, Sarpanch Shiba Nirmala Devi, Sarpanch Kanjali Sukhdev Singh,Naib Sarpanch Rattan Lal, Panch Panjab Singh, Panch, Karan Singh ,Panch Shallo Ram, Naib Sarpanch Shiba Puran Chand, Naib Sarpanch Bamyal Talib Hussain, Bashir Ahmed Kohli , Ex Panch Marh, Rattan Chand , Madan Lal , Ashok Sharma, Pt. Rattan Kumar, Panch Girdhari Lal, Sanjay Kumar, Naseeb Chand, Guddi Devi , Master Parshotam, Madan Singh and many others.