Uttarakhand: In a major announcement for pilgrims across the country, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami revealed the extension of winter pilgrimage initiative. Uttarakhand’s winter pilgrimage will now be a year-round event. The declaration came on Wednesday from CM Dhami.
CM Dhami wrote on X, “Under the guidance of the respected Prime Minister @narendramodi ji, our double engine government has started the winter pilgrimage. Now the pilgrimage in Uttarakhand is being conducted for the entire 12 months instead of 6 months.”
He added that there has been surge in number of tourists coming to Uttarakhand. Dhami said, “Devotees are getting spiritual experience by visiting the winter seat of Chardham and at the same time, in view of the winter season, the number of tourists is also increasing at various tourist places in the state.”
How Will This Transform Uttarakhand’s Tourism?
Furthermore, he highlighted how this move will help in Uttarakhand’s economy and boost tourism. “Through this visionary initiative of the Prime Minister, on the one hand, travel is being conducted throughout the year in the state and on the other hand, local people are also getting new employment opportunities,” wrote Dhami.
Over the years, Uttarakhand has emerged as top destination for pilgrimage. The state is home to numerous pilgrimage sites like Char Dham which includes Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Apart from this, Naina Devi Temple, Hemkund Sahib, Har Ki Pauri, Mansa Devi Temple and Rishikesh are visited in large numbers by the tourists.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to increase the state’s tourism and promote spiritual travel throughout the year.
The winter pilgrimage, which was previously limited to the colder months, now allows devotees to visit the Char Dham temples in all seasons.
आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी के मार्गदर्शन में हमारी डबल इंजन सरकार ने शीतकालीन यात्रा को प्रारंभ किया है। अब उत्तराखण्ड में यात्रा 6 महीने की बजाय पूरे 12 महीने संचालित की जा रही है। श्रद्धालु चारधाम के शीतकालीन गद्दी स्थलों के दर्शन करके आध्यात्मिक अनुभव प्राप्त कर… pic.twitter.com/Gz1O3EzFZ8
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) January 8, 2025
Earlier, during an event, CM Dhami said, “The winter Char Dham Yatra is a major step towards establishing Uttarakhand as a year-round pilgrimage destination. We are closely monitoring all arrangements to ensure the success of this initiative. I am confident that this will not only strengthen the religious significance of our state but also provide a continuous source of livelihood for local communities.”
