KHATIMA: On the occasion of Mahashivratri, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, along with his wife, performed Jalabhishek and Puja at Vankhandi Mahadev Shiva Temple in Chakrpur, Khatima on Wednesday. He offered a pray for happiness, peace and prosperity in the state. The Chief Minister also inaugurated the 12-day Mahashivratri fair at Vankhandi Mahadev Temple.
Extending Mahashivratri greetings to devotees the CM wished that the blessings of Lord Bholenath remain on everyone. He said that he has been coming to Vankhandi Mahadev Temple on the occasion of Mahashivratri for many years. The state government is working on promoting winter tourism in the state. The winter yatra has been inaugurated from Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath. Now devotees will be able to come to our religious places throughout the year, which will directly benefit the people of the state and the region, he added
The Chief Minister stated that Vankhandi Mahadev Temple will be developed as a beautiful destination. A Ropeway will soon be built in Maa Purnagiri Temple and Sharda River Front is being built in Tanakpur. In which instructions have been given to include Khatima and its surrounding areas in the river Front DPR. He mentioned that the government has allocated an amount of Rs 120 crores for the development of Hanol area. Integrated development of the entire state is being done by the government. He also mentioned that Khatima bus station will be ready soon, and Tanakpur bus station is being upgrated to ISBT with an amount of Rs 200 crore.
The CM reminded that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, religious places in the country have been transformed, leading to a renaissance in the whole country.
He noted that due to the terrible disaster in Kedarnath in 2013, the arrival of devotees had reduced a lot. But The Prime Minister rebuilt Kedarnath Dham, offered prayers there and stayed overnight and now more than 20 lakh devotees are coming to Kedarnath Dham every year.
CM Dhami reminded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Adi Kailash, Jolikong of Pithoragarh. Because of that Manaskhand has also got a new identity on the world stage. He said that the pilgrims going to Adi Kailash go to Kumaon by road only. Which will provide year-round employment for various businesses in the area. All the temples of Kumaon are being connected under the Manaskhand scheme. Which will promote religious tourism.
In the program, the Mela Committee expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for providing an amount of Rs 1 crore earlier for the beautification of the temple. The temple committee also honoured the Chief Minister by giving him a memento and a shawl.
During this time, Municipal Council President Ramesh Chandra Joshi, Temple Committee President Gopal Singh Bisht, District President Kamal Jindal, Ganesh Joshi, Sudhir Verma, District Magistrate Nitin Singh Bhadoria, SSP Manikant Mishra and others were present.
