Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday paid obeisance at Sri Kali Mata Mandir and prayed for the peace, progress and prosperity of the state. Interacting with the media persons, the Chief Minister and National Convener of AAP announced a complete facelift of the temple by pumping in resources.
They said that the sarovar of the temple that had dried up from the last 30 years will be rejuvenated by pumping fresh water. Bhagwant Singh Mann and Arvind Kejriwal said that the sarovar of the temple will be fully renovated, including desilting, waterproofing, stonework along the banks and improved pathways.
The Chief Minister and National Convener of AAP said that this would preserve its sanctity and make it more accessible and aesthetically aligned with heritage architecture. They said that the back gate which serves as a primary access point during high traffic periods is proposed to be reopened and renovated.
Bhagwant Singh Mann and Arvind Kejriwal said that simultaneously all temple entrances will be aesthetically restored to maintain architectural symmetry and improve crowd circulation. The Chief Minister and National Convener of AAP said that keeping with Sikh and Hindu traditions of community service, daily langar service for devotees particularly those visiting from remote or economically weaker backgrounds will be started.
They said that a comprehensive Master Plan with future construction, heritage preservation, pilgrim services, sanitation, parking and traffic flow in consultation with urban and religious planning experts is being prepared. Bhagwant Singh Mann and Arvind Kejriwal said that the Devotees Hall will be upgraded with fully air- conditioned AC hall to provide comfort to senior citizens, women with children and differently abled devotees, especially during extreme weather conditions.
The Chief Minister and National Convener of AAP said that the temple’s significance is reflected from the fact that approx. 25,000 devotees visit daily, around one lakh on Saturdays whereas during Navratri festivals, the number rises to 1.5 lakh. They said that it is a proud privilege for them to have got the chance to pay obeisance at this respected place adding that Shri Kali Mata Mandir, located in the cultural capital of Punjab, Patiala, is one of the most venerated and historic temples in northern India.
Bhagwant Singh Mann and Arvind Kejriwal said that this temple stands as a testament to Punjab’s rich spiritual heritage and royal patronage. The Chief Minister and National Convener of AAP said that the temple houses a six-foot idol of Maa Kali and the sacred Paawan Jyot from Bengal adding that in addition to the primary sanctum of Maa Kali, the temple complex also houses an older shrine of Shri Raj Rajeshwari Ji, an embodiment of Shakti.
Bhagwant Singh Mann and Arvind Kejriwal said that this dual reverence makes the complex unique both spiritually and architecturally, blending centuries old devotional practices with modern era infrastructure. They said that it is the paramount duty of the government to preserve the cultural heritage of the state to keep our youngsters abreast with our glorious past.