By Our Staff Reporter
DEHRADUN, 19 Jul: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today released the book, ‘Beyond The Misty Veil – Temple Tales of Uttarakhand’, written by Aradhana Johri, IAS.
The event was organised at the Chief Sevak Sadan located at the CM’s Camp Office, here.
Congratulating the author, Dhami said that the book would become known as an authentic introduction to the divine temples of Uttarakhand in the country and abroad. People will get obtain considerable information from the book. Its content shows how much work the author has put in.
The book based on the temples of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand informs people about their culture and belief system. The CM declared that writer Aradhana Johri had done excellent work during her term as Nainital DM and had now contributed by writing the book.
He also expressed the hope that the book will give a boost to religious tourism in Uttarakhand. People would come to know about the countless temples and the folk tales associated with them.
Dhami pointed out that the government is working on the Manaskhand Corridor to promote religious tourism in various areas. Efforts are being made to develop other religious circuits. Apart from the Chardham Yatra, religious tourism should also be promoted at other places. As part of this, the main temples in different areas of the state would be promoted in the form of circuits.
The author of the book, Aradhana Johri, said that she received her education in Uttarakhand. Her father was the DM of Nainital. Then, after 30 years, she herself became the DM of that town. She described the service of Devbhoomi a matter of privilege. She recalled that, during the posting in Nainital, she got a chance to know the culture of Devbhoomi, the temples and folk deities. She visited the temples and has tried to provide all the information about them in the book. This journey was as beautiful as the destination. The architecture, history, folklore, associated mythologies were amazing. It was not easy to compile so many facts in one book and required three years of research to compile a book of three hundred pages. She also said that, apart from Chardham, there is immense potential for religious tourism in Uttarakhand. The book would prove helpful in this.
Present on the occasion were former Chief Secretary, Indu Pandey, former Chief Secretary Shatrughan Singh, publisher of the book, Prabhat, Additional Chief Secretary Radha Raturi, DGP Ashok Kumar, former DGP Anil Kumar Raturi and other officials and dignitaries.
