By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 3 Apr: Construction of Uttarakhand’s first dedicated Yamuna ghat is progressing rapidly at Haripur in Kalsi Block of Dehradun district, marking a significant step towards developing the site as a prominent religious destination. It may be recalled that the state government has made provisions for further financial allocation in the budget for Financial Year 2-26-27 to support the project.
The initiative follows the announcement by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to revive Haripur Kalsi as a recognised religious and pilgrimage centre, under which the development of a grand Yamuna Ghat was envisaged. Despite the Yamuna originating from Yamunotri in Uttarakhand, the state has long lacked a structured ghat along the river where devotees could undertake ritual bathing or dip, but now this issue is being addressed through this project.
The ghat, being constructed over a stretch of nearly one kilometre at Haripur, is set to become the first of its kind in Uttarakhand and would provide the pilgrims and the visitors an accessible and organised facility to offer prayers and take a holy dip in the Yamuna. The officials associated with the project indicate that once completed, the ghat is expected to attract thousands of devotees particularly from regions such as Jaunsar Bawar and other parts of northern India where Yamuna and Krishna devotion holds deep cultural significance.
The historical accounts indicate that Haripur Yamuna Ghat was once a major religious site that was eventually washed away in a devastating flood. The effort to restore its past prominence has been taken up as a priority by the present state government, with the CM having earlier laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of the site in a ceremonial programme. The Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) has been designated as the implementing agency for the project and is overseeing its construction.
It may be noted here Haripur Kalsi holds considerable historical and religious importance, with references linking it to the era of Lord Krishna, as well as to the edicts of Emperor Ashoka, whose inscriptions are located in the vicinity. The area is also associated with the early life and martial training of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. Along the Yamuna riverbank, an ancient Ashwamedha Yajna site is also preserved under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), further emphasising the site’s heritage value.
In addition to the ghat, preparations are also underway to install a 25-foot-high statue of Goddess Yamuna on a pillar of an old bridge located in the middle of the river stream near the site. The Lok Panchayat Yamuna Teerth Committee has begun work on this plan by engaging sculptors from Gujarat and has sought necessary permissions from the district administration for installation of the statue. The committee has also reportedly received land in donation for the construction of a large temple near the ghat and is in the process of preparing a detailed proposal for the same.
With the development of the Yamuna ghat at Haripur, the state government aims to combine religious tourism with heritage conservation, positioning the site as a key spiritual destination in Uttarakhand while also generating local economic opportunities and enhancing regional connectivity.
It may also be recalled that CM Dhami has reiterated that the government is committed to developing Haripur Yamuna Ghat as a ‘dham’, in line with its announcement agenda, and stated that the construction work is nearing completion. He expressed confidence that the site would emerge as a major centre of faith for lakhs of devotees, particularly those connected with the spiritual traditions of Yamuna worship and the Jaunsar Bawar region. He also confirmed that funds have been earmarked in the forthcoming budget to ensure the timely completion and further development of the project.
