Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended the Shrimad Bhagwat Katha Gyan Yagya and Vishal Sant Sammelan held at Raiwala on Monday, 22 June 2026, seeking the blessings of revered saints and emphasising the state government's preparations for the 2027 Kumbh.

Context

Raiwala, a town near Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, hosted the large-scale religious congregation that brought together senior saints, political dignitaries, and devotees. CM Dhami described the occasion as a privilege, posting on X: 'रायवाला में आयोजित श्रीमद्भागवत कथा ज्ञान यज्ञ एवं विशाल संत सम्मेलन में पूज्य संत-महात्माओं का सान्निध्य एवं आशीर्वाद प्राप्त करने का सौभाग्य मिला' ('I had the fortune of receiving the presence and blessings of revered saints at the Shrimad Bhagwat Katha Gyan Yagya and grand Sant Sammelan organised in Raiwala.').

The event drew a prominent political gathering alongside the sant community. Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri, Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Satpal Maharaj, and Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya were all present at the sammelan.

Policy Backdrop

CM Dhami used the platform to reaffirm the Uttarakhand government's commitment to Sanatan tradition, stating that the sant community has always played an inspirational role in preserving cultural heritage and guiding society. He noted that under their guidance, 'हमारी सांस्कृतिक विरासत, आध्यात्मिक चेतना और सामाजिक समरसता निरंतर सुदृढ़ हो रही है' ('our cultural heritage, spiritual consciousness, and social harmony are being continuously strengthened').

The Uttarakhand government has a history of coordinating with religious bodies for large pilgrimages, having organised the 2021 Haridwar Kumbh Mela with emphasis on spiritual infrastructure and crowd management. Engaging saint communities early in the planning cycle is a key part of that administrative approach.

Stakeholders and Impact

CM Dhami announced that extensive preparations are underway for the 2027 Kumbh with the guidance and cooperation of the sant community, with the stated aim of providing 'विश्वभर से आने वाले श्रद्धालुओं को एक अविस्मरणीय आध्यात्मिक अनुभव' ('an unforgettable spiritual experience to devotees coming from across the world'). The event signals that the state government is actively enlisting religious leadership in shaping the Kumbh's character and logistics.

The sant community, akharas, and millions of pilgrims expected to attend the 2027 Kumbh are the primary stakeholders. Spiritual tourism, local economies around Haridwar and Rishikesh, and infrastructure contractors are all likely to be affected by the scale and quality of preparations.

What's Next

Official announcements on infrastructure, transport, accommodation, and crowd-management plans for the 2027 Kumbh are expected to follow as coordination between the state government and religious bodies intensifies. Follow-up meetings between state officials and akharas or religious organisations are likely as the planning calendar advances. CM Dhami's active participation in sant sammelans indicates that religious outreach will remain a consistent feature of the Uttarakhand government's public engagement ahead of the mega event.