Seeks prosperity and well-being of Uttarakhand; directs officials to complete works with quality and within stipulated timelines
More than 150 saints and sadhvis and over 1,200 devotees participate in Badrinath Dham Katha Mahotsav
September 2026 Badrinath: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday visited Shri Badrinath Dham and offered prayers to Lord Badri Vishal, seeking peace, prosperity and well-being for the state.
After offering prayers, the Chief Minister conducted an on-site inspection of various construction and development works being carried out under the Badrinath Master Plan. He reviewed the progress of the Aastha Path and other ongoing projects and sought details from the concerned officials.
Dhami directed officials to ensure that all construction works are completed in accordance with prescribed standards, with a focus on quality and adherence to timelines. He said that while executing the projects, special attention should be paid to the convenience of pilgrims as well as the religious, spiritual and traditional sanctity of the shrine.
The Chief Minister said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, work is progressing rapidly to give Badrinath Dham a grand, divine and well-organised appearance in accordance with its religious and mythological significance. The facilities being developed under the Master Plan will provide better amenities to pilgrims visiting the shrine, he said.
He stressed that the traditional identity, natural beauty and spiritual character of Badrinath Dham must be preserved while carrying out development works.
Later, Chief Minister Dhami participated in the Badrinath Dham Katha Mahotsav, organised under the aegis of the Swaminarayan Gurukul Rajkot Sansthan. More than 150 saints and sadhvis and over 1,200 devotees from different parts of the country participated in the festival.
Pujya Mahant Swami Shri Devprasad Dasji Swami and Pujya Sadguru Varya Dharmavallabh Dasji Swami of the Swaminarayan Gurukul Rajkot Sansthan, along with a large number of saints and devotees, were present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister said that visiting Badrinath Dham is itself a unique spiritual experience. He described it as a privilege to participate in the Katha Mahotsav organised at the sacred shrine in the presence of saints and devotees, with the blessings of Lord Badri Vishal.
He said Badrinath Dham is a major centre of India's Sanatan consciousness and spiritual heritage. The glory of this sacred shrine has also been specially described in Indian scriptures. For centuries, the region has remained a centre of penance, spiritual practice and spiritual consciousness.
Dhami said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, continuous efforts are being made to preserve and promote India's ancient heritage, Sanatan culture and centres of faith. Under the Prime Minister's guidance, facilities for pilgrims at major pilgrimage centres in Uttarakhand are being expanded while their religious and cultural identity is also being further strengthened.
He recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had described the third decade of the 21st century as the decade of Uttarakhand from the land of Baba Kedar. The state government is working with full commitment to realise this vision, he said.
The Chief Minister said Uttarakhand has been blessed by nature not only with unparalleled beauty but also with a unique spiritual heritage. The Char Dham, the sacred Ganga and Yamuna rivers, the Himalayas and Hemkund Sahib, among numerous other religious and spiritual destinations, form an integral part of the distinctive identity of Devbhoomi.
He said the government's endeavour is to develop these pilgrimage centres in a systematic manner according to the needs of devotees while ensuring that their spiritual and cultural sanctity remains intact.
Dhami said the blessings and guidance of the saint community have always been a source of inspiration for society and the nation. Such spiritual events make an important contribution towards taking Sanatan traditions, culture and life values to the younger generation. He also expressed his gratitude to the saints and devotees present at the programme.
Minister of State Harak Singh, Madhav Prasad Semwal, BJP district president Gajpal Singh Bartwal, District Cooperative Bank chairman Gajendra Singh Rawat, BJP district general secretary Vinod Kanwasi, Arun Maithani, District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar, Superintendent of Police Surjeet Singh Panwar, along with various public representatives, administrative officials and a large number of devotees were present on the occasion.
