SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday visited the ancient Vichar Nag Shrine in Srinagar, where he offered prayers for peace, prosperity and the well-being of all people, while describing the restoration of the historic temple as a significant step towards preserving Jammu and Kashmir’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.
During his visit, the Lieutenant Governor paid obeisance at the shrine, interacted with devotees and reviewed the ongoing renovation and restoration works being carried out at the historic site.
Addressing devotees and later speaking to media persons, Sinha said the Vichar Nag temple has remained an enduring symbol of India’s spiritual, intellectual and philosophical traditions for centuries.
“For millennia, this sacred temple has anchored India’s spiritual, intellectual and philosophical journey. Its revival serves as a historic bridge connecting our past, present and future. It marks the return of a consciousness that, for centuries, nurtured an unbroken tradition of reflection, dialogue and learning,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said the restoration of Vichar Nag is an important milestone in safeguarding the diverse cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir and reviving the region’s civilisational legacy.
He noted that Vichar Nag occupies a special place in the cultural and spiritual history of Jammu and Kashmir and expressed satisfaction over the efforts being made to restore the ancient shrine to its former glory.
“The revival of this historic site, once a vibrant hub of knowledge where scholars from across the globe gathered for intellectual discourse, is deeply gratifying. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to everyone associated with this initiative,” he said.
Sinha also highlighted the shrine’s historical association with renowned philosopher and scholar Abhinavagupta, saying the site had, for more than 2,000 years, attracted eminent scholars from different parts of the world for discussions on spirituality, philosophy, mathematics and other branches of knowledge.
Referring to the religious significance of the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor said devotees had assembled at the shrine after a long hiatus to perform Yajna and Havan, describing it as a moment of spiritual and cultural revival.
“I pray that this revival marks the return of that era of fostering a renewed dialogue on knowledge, mathematics, science and modernity, while ushering in peace and prosperity for the region,” he said.
The visit underscored the administration’s continued focus on preserving heritage sites of historical and religious importance while promoting the cultural legacy of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Lieutenant Governor was accompanied by DIG Central Kashmir Range Rajiv Pandey, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo, SSP Srinagar Dr G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy and other senior civil and police officials.
