Kali Devi Mandir to be developed on lines of Mansa Devi, Vaishno Devi shrines: Gupta

Punjab Economic Policy and Planning Board Vice Chairman (Cabinet Minister Rank) Rajinder Gupta, who also chairs the Shri Kali Devi Mandir Advisory Committee, today announced that the historic Kali Devi Mandir, Patiala, would be developed on the lines of Mansa Devi, Vaishno Devi and other prominent religious shrines.

Speaking on the occasion of the seventh day of Shardiya Navratri, Gupta-joined by Mayor Kundan Gogia, advisory committee members Ajay Alipuria, Sanjay Singla, Dr Raj Kumar Gupta, and ADC Simarpreet Kaur said devotees would see significant improvements at the temple within the next one year.

Gupta congratulated city residents on Navratri while appreciating efforts of the district administration led by Deputy Commissioner Dr Preeti Yadav, the Municipal Corporation, the temple committee, and other institutions for ensuring smooth arrangements for large number of devotees visiting the shrine during the festival.

He said both AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann visited the temple and envisioned its holistic development, for which work had already begun. He said offerings from the temple would be used for public service projects in the fields of healthcare, education and welfare.

Highlighting the temple’s cultural and historical importance, Gupta said the shrine would be turned into a special attraction for visitors to Patiala’s tourism circuit.

He said, “Work on reviving temple’s dry sarovar is in progress. Fresh water will soon flow into its tank. A spiritual light and sound show with proper seating arrangements for devotees will be introduced.”

He said a new building for overnight stay of devotees had been opened, lifts have been made operational, and a canteen would soon be functional at the dharamshala,” he said. Mayor Kundan Gogia said a tender of Rs 2 crore had been floated for the renovation and development of Rajindra Lake. — TNS