Overview

• The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has been reconstituted with nine new members, as announced by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on May 19, 2025.
• The appointees include renowned figures such as author Sudha Murty, spiritual leader Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vishveshvaranand Giriji Maharaj, and retired civil servants Ashok Bhan and Baleshwar Rai.
• The Shrine Board, established under the 1988 Act, manages operations, infrastructure, and services for over 1.5 crore annual devotees at the revered site in Jammu’s Reasi district.
• The new members, appointed for a three-year term, bring diverse expertise spanning philanthropy, spirituality, governance, and law.
• The pilgrimage site is a vital religious and economic hub, with its operations significantly supporting Katra’s local economy and employment.