Uttarakhand CM Dhami: Kedarnath rebuilt under PM Modi, religious sites being transformed

Haridwar: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday said that the Kedarnath shrine has been rebuilt in a "magnificent and divine" form under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following the devastating 2013 floods that caused widespread damage in the region.

Speaking at a programme held on the occasion of the 51st Nirvana Diwas of Satguru Lal Das Ji Maharaj Bhurivale at Bandichhod in Haridwar, Dhami highlighted the state government's efforts to redevelop major pilgrimage centres across Uttarakhand.

"Right here in our state, consider Badrinath Dham and Kedarnath Dham; the entire premises there had been devastated and severely damaged following the 2013 disaster," Dhami said.

"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, a magnificent and divine Kedarnath has been rebuilt. Inspired and guided by the Prime Minister, we are transforming religious sites across Uttarakhand, whether they are in the Kedarkhand region or the Manaskhand region, into new, revitalised forms through initiatives like the 'Mandir Mala Mission,' undertaking their reconstruction and renewal," he added.

The chief minister also paid tribute to Satguru Lal Das Ji Maharaj Bhurivale on his 51st Nirvana Day, recalling his teachings on service to humanity. In a post on X, Dhami wrote: "On the 51st Nirvana Day of the most revered Satguru Lal Das Ji Maharaj Bhurivale in Haridwar, we pay our obeisance to him. The revered Maharaj Ji considered service to humanity as the true worship of God and demonstrated that the simplest path to reach the Lord is through serving the suffering and the needy."

Dhami outlined the state government's efforts to establish Uttarakhand as a global spiritual destination. "Under the visionary leadership of the honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, our government is steadfastly moving forward with its resolve to establish Devbhoomi Uttarakhand as the world's 'spiritual capital'. For this very purpose, rapid progress is being made on ambitious projects such as the Kedarkhand-Mansakhand Temple Mala Mission, the revival of the ancient Yamuna Tirtha at Haripur Kalasi, and the Haridwar-Rishikesh Corridor and Sharda Corridor," he added.

The 2013 Uttarakhand floods, also known as the Kedarnath floods, resulted in massive destruction across the state, with the Kedarnath shrine area suffering significant damage. The reconstruction and redevelopment of the temple premises have been a key focus for both the central and state governments since then. The Mandir Mala Mission aims to develop and connect temples in the Kedarkhand and Manaskhand regions, promoting pilgrimage tourism and infrastructure improvement.

The proposed Haridwar-Rishikesh Corridor and Sharda Corridor are part of broader infrastructure plans intended to improve connectivity and facilities for pilgrims and visitors. The revival of the ancient Yamuna Tirtha at Haripur Kalasi is another project aimed at restoring the region's religious and cultural heritage.

The event in Haridwar saw the participation of local leaders and followers of the saint, with the chief minister's remarks underscoring the government's ongoing initiatives in the religious and spiritual sphere. These statements come as part of a series of announcements by the state government regarding development projects focused on religious tourism and infrastructure in Uttarakhand.