Uttarakhand Preserving Its Religious and Cultural Heritage Alongside Development: CM Dhami
Tanakpur, Oct 2026: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the state’s identity is closely linked to its rich religious and cultural heritage and that the government is working to preserve this heritage while pursuing development. He said efforts are also being made to strengthen Uttarakhand’s spiritual identity by integrating modern facilities with its traditional heritage.
Dhami was participating in the Dussehra Festival organised by the Navayuvak Ramlila Committee in Tanakpur on Saturday, where he also listened to the Shrimad Bhagwat Katha.
The Chief Minister said organising the Shrimad Bhagwat Katha was a spiritually significant occasion. He said religious gatherings held with devotion and faith create an atmosphere of divine grace. Such events hold even greater significance in the sacred land of Maa Purnagiri and Maa Sharda.
He said religious and cultural programmes play an important role in bringing society together and introducing younger generations to their roots, values and traditions.
Wishing the people of Uttarakhand happiness, peace and prosperity, Dhami said the country was moving forward with development and heritage being pursued together under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He said Uttarakhand was also moving ahead with full commitment to play an important role in the vision of a developed India. Alongside development, special attention was being given to the preservation and promotion of religious sites, temples, folk traditions and cultural heritage across the state.
Development Plans Transforming Champawat
Dhami said the vision of an ‘Adarsh Champawat’ was not limited to development works but aimed at taking the district’s identity and potential to new heights.
He said several major projects would provide fresh momentum to development in the district. These include the ISBT under construction in Tanakpur at a cost of around Rs 237.74 crore, redevelopment and beautification of Sharda Ghat, the Golju Corridor, expansion of facilities for devotees in the Maa Purnagiri area and beautification of various temples.
He said a lighting system was being developed from Kakarali Gate towards Maa Purnagiri Dham at a cost of around Rs 8.10 crore to facilitate devotees visiting the shrine.
The government, he said, was working to provide better facilities to pilgrims and tourists visiting Maa Purnagiri Dham and other religious and tourist destinations in the district.
The Chief Minister said that along with promoting religious and spiritual tourism, the government was strengthening roads, transportation, tourism, sports, education and healthcare facilities in Champawat.
These initiatives, he said, would improve facilities for pilgrims and tourists while also creating new employment and self-employment opportunities for local youth.
CM Interacts with Sportspersons and Public
During his visit, Dhami interacted with players at the Sports Hostel in Tanakpur and encouraged them to move forward with hard work, discipline and regular practice.
He later participated in the ‘Mukhya Sevak Samvad’ programme organised at the Chief Minister’s Camp Office, where he interacted directly with members of the public.
Dhami said the government’s priority was to ensure that the benefits of development schemes reached people at the last mile. He said development in Champawat was being planned by integrating the district’s natural beauty, religious significance, folk culture and tourism potential with modern facilities.
The objective, he said, was to ensure that the dignity of the region’s heritage remained intact while the pace of development continued.
CM Serves Prasad at Bhandara
During his participation in the Tanakpur Dussehra Festival, Chief Minister Dhami also attended the bhandara organised at Sita Rasoi and distributed prasad among devotees.
He encouraged the organisers and volunteers serving at the bhandara and appreciated their efforts.
BJP district president Govind Samant, office bearer Manoj Kalakoti, office bearer Hema Joshi, office bearer Kiran Devi, Champawat MLA representative Prakash Tiwari, District Women’s Youth Morcha president Deepa Joshi, Tanakpur Municipal Council Chairman Vipin Kumar, BJP state minister Nirmal Mahara, Champawat Nagar Mandal president Sunil Punetha, District Magistrate Manish Kumar, Superintendent of Police Rekha Yadav, along with other public representatives, officials and a large number of devotees, were present on the occasion.
