Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday unveiled a statue of Goddess Yamuna and inaugurated Hari Ghat at Haripur Kalsi, as part of initiatives aimed at promoting the area’s religious and cultural development.Dhami also laid the foundation stone for the Yamuna-Krishna Temple during the programme, which was attended by saints, religious leaders, devotees and local residents.A ‘Lamp of Blessings’ programme and prayer ceremony were organised on the banks of the Yamuna on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday. As many as 2,100 lamps were lit along the riverbank during the ceremony.Dhami also lit a lamp and prayed for the happiness, prosperity, peace and welfare of the people of Uttarakhand.The Chief Minister said Kalsi is a region with a rich history, faith and cultural traditions, adding that the new initiatives would strengthen its spiritual identity.He said the foundation stone for the Yamuna-Krishna Temple marked another step towards the religious and cultural development of the area.Dhami said the state government was working on the development of the Jaunsar-Bawar region and that Rs 150 crore had been approved for the Hanol Master Plan.The plan is aimed at improving infrastructure related to religious tourism and providing better facilities to pilgrims and tourists visiting the region.He said the government was also focusing on the development and beautification of Lakhamandal and other historical, religious and tourism destinations in Jaunsar-Bawar.Dhami said tourism development was intended to benefit local communities by creating opportunities in homestays, transportation, food services, handicrafts and local products.He said expansion of tourism activities would create employment and self-employment opportunities for local youth and entrepreneurs while strengthening the regional economy.CM Dhami also stressed the need to preserve the folk culture, traditions, architecture and natural heritage of Jaunsar-Bawar alongside development.
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He said Uttarakhand’s religious and spiritual destinations were receiving greater attention under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with efforts underway to improve facilities at mythological, historical and religious sites across the state.Dhami said the government’s objective was to combine Uttarakhand’s spiritual heritage with modern tourism facilities and use the sector as a foundation for development and local employment.MLA Munna Singh Chauhan, secretary Ranveer Singh Chauhan, additional secretary Banshidhar Tiwari, Parmarth Niketan president Swami Chidanand Muni, other public representatives, saints, religious leaders and local residents attended the programme.
