Garhwal Post Bureau
Haridwar, 8 Jul: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, while addressing devotees at the closing ceremony of Morari Bapu’s Shri Ram Katha held at Premnagar Ashram, here on Wednesday, said that he was experiencing unparalleled spiritual joy and happiness on the sacred land of Haridwar. Expressing his heartfelt gratitude to Morari Bapu, he said that Morari Bapu is not only a narrator of the Shri Ram Katha, but also a living carrier of Lord Shri Ram’s ideals, thoughts, and philosophy of life, who has spread the message of Indian culture, Sanatan philosophy, and spirituality across the world.
The Chief Minister said that, today, when the world is facing challenges like war, violence, and terrorism, the message of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” from India’s eternal culture is a guide for all humanity. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is witnessing a cultural renaissance, and the Uttarakhand government is working with the resolve to establish Devbhoomi as the spiritual capital of the world. To this end, the Kedarkhand-Manaskhand Temple Mala Mission, the Haridwar-Rishikesh Corridor, the Sharda Corridor, and plans for the conservation and beautification of ancient temples are being rapidly advanced.
The Chief Minister stated that religious tourism and spiritual pilgrimages in Uttarakhand have set new records this year. He stated that the Chardham Yatra is breaking all previous records, with over 4.5 million pilgrims having visited within two months. Similarly, over 1.5 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the Hemkund Sahib Yatra, while over 55,000 pilgrims have visited the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a place where only a limited number of pilgrims were previously allowed throughout the year.
The Chief Minister noted that he was privileged to flag off the first group of pilgrims on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra on 5 July. He said this is a testament to Uttarakhand’s developing infrastructure, safe travel management, and growing faith of pilgrims.
Reiterating his resolve to make the upcoming Kumbh Mela 2027 divine, grand, and safe, the Chief Minister said that Kumbh is not just an event of faith, but a grand festival of social harmony, spiritual consciousness, and eternal culture. He said that the state government, with the mantra of development as well as heritage, is continuously working to preserve the cultural identity, spiritual dignity, and eternal traditions of Devbhoomi. Calling upon devotees to embrace the ideals of Lord Shri Ram, he said that with the blessings of saints and public participation, Uttarakhand will achieve new heights in the spiritual and cultural sphere.
Present at the event were Swami Chidanand Saraswati Maharaj, President of Parmarth Niketan Ashram Rishikesh, District Panchayat President Kiran Chaudhary, former Cabinet Minister Swami Yatishwaranand, State Ministers Sunil Saini, Deshraj Karnawal, Nitin Gautam, Ajit Chaudhary, Shobharam Prajapati, Adesh Saini, District President Ashutosh Sharma, District Magistrate Mayur Dixit, Senior Superintendent of Police Navneet Singh Bhullar, and others.
