Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami kicked off the sacred Chhari Yatra on Saturday from the Adhisthatri Maya Devi Temple in Haridwar. The event buzzed with Vedic rituals and chanting mantras, launching the pilgrimage to Uttarakhand’s four revered Char Dham sites: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
Dhami led the ceremony by performing the ritual abhishek for the holy Chhari and offering prayers to Mahamaya Devi. He also paid tribute to the attending saints, seeking their blessings for the journey.
“It’s a huge honor to join this Chhari Yatra, a tradition started by Adi Guru Shankaracharya in the 8th century,” Dhami shared. He explained how Shankaracharya spread Advaita Vedanta across India, helping people stay connected to their cultural and spiritual roots today.
Dhami called the Chhari worship more than just a ritual—it’s a vibrant symbol of Sanatan Dharma’s depth. “This yatra unites Uttarakhand’s diverse regions, from Kumaon’s hills to Garhwal’s valleys, and from Himalayan peaks to the Ganga and Yamuna plains,” he added. He painted a vivid picture: “When the Chhari travels through our mountains, forests, rivers, and valleys, it feels like Mata Bhagwati and Lord Shiva are walking right alongside us.”
The Chief Minister noted that the yatra had paused for about 70 years but roared back to life in 2019, thanks to the dedicated efforts of Shri Mahant Harigiri Maharaj. He praised the saints not just for keeping spiritual traditions alive, but also for boosting jobs, self-employment, and economic growth in border areas like Badrinath-Kedarnath.
“When saints focus on society’s all-around progress, no force can hold back that community or nation from shining with a fresh identity,” Dhami said.
He highlighted how, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance, India balances rapid development with Sanatan culture’s revival. “Religion isn’t just ceremonies—it’s in our daily actions and lives,” Dhami emphasized. He pointed to major projects like the Kashi Vishwanath Dham rebuild, Mahakal Lok, restored Badrinath and Kedarnath temples, and the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya as proof.
Modi also flagged off the Adi Kailash Yatra himself, putting it on the global map. He declared border villages like Mana as India’s “first villages,” sparking growth via the Vibrant Village Programme. Today, the Adi Kailash area at 17,500 feet draws thousands of visitors.
Before 2014, roads barely reached Uttarakhand’s Tibet-border zones. Now, construction races ahead to the border, letting pilgrims view Kailash from Indian soil. Spots like Nabi Dhang, Gunji, Vyans, Chaundas, Darma, Nelang, and Jadong see fast development.
Dhami announced the Haridwar-Rishikesh Corridor will soon transform Haridwar into a stunning hub, much like Kashi or Ayodhya. Preparations for the 2027 Kumbh Mela in Haridwar are underway, aiming for a grand, divine event. The government is gathering input from Akhara leaders and respecting local views on city plans.
“Haridwar’s role as a spiritual powerhouse will grow, and we’ll showcase its glory worldwide,” the Chief Minister vowed. He stressed protecting Devbhoomi Uttarakhand’s sacred essence, continuing drives like Operation Kalnemi to root out threats to dharma.
Dhami urged vigilance against plots like land jihad, love jihad, and other divisive tactics spreading across India, from illegal conversions to demographic shifts.
The state government, he said, is laser-focused on turning Uttarakhand into a top Indian state, counting on saints’ ongoing support.
Mahant Hari Giri, National General Secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, shared that the Juna Akhara’s Chhari will visit Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath before looping through Kumaon’s pilgrimage spots and returning to Maya Devi Temple in Haridwar. The route shifted from Bageshwar in 2021 due to the Haridwar Kumbh.
Hari Giri lauded Dhami’s bold moves, like implementing India’s first Uniform Civil Code and strict land laws to safeguard Uttarakhand’s territory. “Leadership fits those who fearlessly defend the nation’s honor,” he said, calling Uttarakhand a model for other states.
Kailashanand Giri Maharaj of Niranjani Akhara echoed the praise, noting Dhami’s deep respect for saints and commitment to Sanatan Dharma. Ravindra Puri Maharaj, Akhara Parishad President, oversaw the program.
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