Katra/Jammu, June 13: Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta on Saturday visited the revered Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and proposed the development of a religious corridor linking Jammu and Kashmir with Himachal Pradesh to enhance pilgrimage tourism and strengthen cultural ties between the two regions.
After offering prayers at the shrine atop the Trikuta Hills, Gupta said both Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh share a rich spiritual and cultural heritage, with several revered temples and pilgrimage sites attracting devotees from across the country.
“In the coming years, our effort will be to create a religious corridor so that pilgrims who visit Jammu and Kashmir can also travel onward to Himachal Pradesh,” he told reporters in Katra.
The Governor said the proposed initiative would facilitate seamless religious travel, promote tourism, and deepen people-to-people connections between the neighboring regions. Accompanied by family members during the visit, he highlighted the spiritual significance of both destinations and their potential to emerge as a combined pilgrimage circuit.
Expressing satisfaction over the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Gupta said the region has witnessed improved peace and stability, encouraging a growing number of tourists and pilgrims to visit.
He also noted that Himachal Pradesh is witnessing a steady increase in tourist arrivals and said the state government is focused on strengthening infrastructure and visitor facilities to ensure a better travel experience.
“People from all over the country are coming to Himachal Pradesh. The government is making efforts to provide more facilities and develop infrastructure so that visitors leave with a memorable experience,” he said.
Emphasizing India’s rich civilizational heritage, Gupta said the country is home to countless temples and sacred sites and stressed the importance of promoting and appreciating its own cultural and spiritual traditions.
The proposed religious corridor is expected to further boost pilgrimage tourism while enhancing cultural cooperation between Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
