Chandigarh, September 9 – Preparations are in full swing at Shri Mata Mansa Devi Temple in Panchkula ahead of the upcoming Ashwin Navratri. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who also chairs the Shrine Board, reviewed the arrangements during the 22nd board meeting and issued several key directions aimed at enhancing the experience of devotees.
One of the major decisions was the construction of three large air-conditioned community dining halls (bhandara halls), each with the capacity to seat at least 1,500 devotees at a time. Until construction is complete, temporary hangars will be set up to ensure smooth arrangements during the festival. The Chief Minister also instructed that modern kitchens be established and cleanliness be maintained as the top priority.
To promote religious tourism, Saini suggested starting a dedicated bus service linking key religious sites in Panchkula, including Shri Mata Mansa Devi Temple, Chandi Mata Temple, Kali Mata Temple, Morni, Bada Trilokpur, and Nada Sahib. He also reviewed the ongoing construction of a lotus-shaped building at Kali Mata Temple and urged officials to finish the project on time.
The meeting discussed the removal of unused or dilapidated booths built by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HSVP) inside the temple premises. Saini directed that the land be used for commercial activities in line with the temple’s master plan. The board also approved beautification and restoration works, including conservation of murals and development of Hanuman Vatika.
Emphasizing hygiene, the Chief Minister said devotees should feel a clean and sacred environment during their visit. He called for a special cleanliness campaign in temple premises, particularly during Navratri when large crowds gather. From September 17 to October 2, as part of the state’s “Seva Pakhwada,” cleanliness drives will be carried out jointly by administration, local bodies, and volunteer organizations.
The meeting was attended by Urban Local Bodies Minister Vipul Goel, Kalka MLA Shakti Rani Sharma, Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, Principal Secretary to CM Arun Kumar Gupta, Panchkula Mayor Kulbhushan Goel, senior officers from HSVP, Tourism Department, Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority, and CEO of the Shrine Board, Nisha.
