CM Dhami promotes Garjia Devi Temple in Nainital for pilgrims
Synopsis
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on 8 July 2026 spotlighted the Garjia Devi Temple in Ramnagar, Nainital — dedicated to Goddess Parvati — noting its significance during Navratri and urging visitors to the district to pay their respects at the revered shrine.
Key Takeaways
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami promoted the Garjia Devi Temple in Ramnagar, Nainital via a social-media post on 8 July 2026 .
The temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati (Girija) and is one of the most revered shrines in the Kumaon region.
Special worship and rituals are held at the temple during the Navratri festival each year.
Lakhs of devotees visit the shrine annually, making it a significant religious-tourism destination in Uttarakhand .
The promotion aligns with the BJP government 's broader strategy of integrating secondary temple circuits into the state's religious-tourism economy.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, highlighted the Garjia Devi Temple in Ramnagar, Nainital, urging devotees visiting Nainital district to pay their respects at the ancient shrine dedicated to Goddess Parvati (Girija).
In his post, CM Dhami wrote: 'रामनगर, नैनीताल में स्थित गर्जिया देवी मंदिर माँ पार्वती (गिरिजा) को समर्पित है' — 'The Garjia Devi Temple located in Ramnagar, Nainital, is dedicated to Maa Parvati (Girija).' He noted that special worship is performed at the temple during Navratri, and that lakhs of devotees visit every year. He invited visitors to Nainital district to make the pilgrimage to this sacred site.
Context
The Garjia Devi Temple sits on a rocky outcrop above the Kosi River near Ramnagar in Nainital district, Uttarakhand. The temple is one of the most revered shrines in the Kumaon region, drawing pilgrims from across northern India, particularly during the biannual Navratri festivals. The deity, Maa Garjia, is considered a form of Goddess Parvati and is deeply embedded in the local folk tradition.
Policy Backdrop
Since Uttarakhand attained statehood in 2000, successive state governments have promoted religious tourism as a pillar of the state economy, with the Char Dham circuit being the flagship offering. The BJP government under CM Dhami has extended this approach to secondary temple circuits, integrating lesser-known shrines into broader tourism promotion campaigns. Posts such as this one form part of a sustained social-media outreach strategy to drive footfall to spiritual destinations beyond the main pilgrimage routes.
Stakeholders and Impact
The primary beneficiaries of increased temple visibility are Ramnagar's local economy — including hoteliers, priests, transport operators, and small traders who depend on pilgrim arrivals. The Nainital district also benefits from the overlap between religious tourism and the region's established leisure-tourism ecosystem centred on Nainital lake and Jim Corbett National Park. Pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and neighbouring states form the core visitor base.
What's Next
Attention will now turn to whether the state government follows up with infrastructure or amenity announcements at the Garjia Devi Temple — such as improved road access, crowd-management facilities, or inclusion in official pilgrimage packages — ahead of the next Navratri period. CM Dhami's continued social-media promotion of Uttarakhand's cultural heritage suggests that temple-linked tourism will remain a visible policy priority for the state government.
Point of View
The government signals an intent to distribute tourism benefits more broadly across the state. The social-media format also allows the Chief Minister to bypass traditional promotional channels and speak directly to a devotee audience across northern India. Whether this visibility translates into infrastructure investment at the temple will be the real test of policy intent.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Garjia Devi Temple located?
The Garjia Devi Temple is located in Ramnagar , Nainital district , Uttarakhand. It sits on a rocky outcrop above the Kosi River and is one of the most important shrines in the Kumaon region.
Which goddess is worshipped at Garjia Devi Temple?
The temple is dedicated to Maa Parvati , also known as Girija , a form of the Hindu mother goddess. Locally she is venerated as Maa Garjia .
What is special about Garjia Devi Temple during Navratri?
During Navratri , special puja and rituals are performed at the temple, drawing lakhs of devotees from across northern India. The festival is the most significant period in the temple's annual calendar.
Why did CM Dhami post about Garjia Devi Temple?
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami shared the post on 8 July 2026 to promote the temple as a must-visit destination for those travelling to Nainital district , in line with the state government's religious-tourism promotion efforts.
How do I visit Garjia Devi Temple near Ramnagar?
The temple is accessible from Ramnagar in Nainital district , Uttarakhand, which is well connected by road and rail. Visitors to the Jim Corbett National Park area often combine the trip with a visit to the shrine.
