The Chief Minister's Office of Uttarakhand announced on Wednesday, 8 July 2026 that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami addressed devotees at the concluding ceremony of Morari Bapu's Shri Ram Katha held at Premnagar Ashram, Haridwar, reaffirming the state government's resolve to establish Devbhoomi as the spiritual capital of the world.

Context

Speaking at the event, CM Dhami expressed gratitude to Morari Bapu, describing him not merely as a narrator of Ram Katha but as a 'living carrier' (jivant sanvahak) of Lord Ram's ideals and Sanatan philosophy to audiences worldwide. He said the sacred land of Haridwar filled him with 'unparalleled spiritual joy and bliss' (advitiya adhyatmik sukh aur anand). The Chief Minister invoked the ancient Indian principle of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' — 'the world is one family' — as a guiding message for humanity at a time when the world faces the challenges of war, violence, and terrorism.

Policy Backdrop

CM Dhami stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is witnessing a cultural renaissance, and the Uttarakhand government is working with a firm commitment to position the state as the world's spiritual capital. To this end, several flagship infrastructure projects are being fast-tracked: the Kedarkhand-Manaskhand Mandir Mala Mission, the Haridwar-Rishikesh Corridor, the Sharda Corridor, and schemes for the preservation and beautification of ancient temples. The state government's guiding mantra, he said, is 'Vikas bhi aur Virasat bhi' — 'development as well as heritage' — reflecting a dual focus on modern infrastructure and cultural continuity.

Stakeholders and Impact

The Chief Minister cited pilgrimage figures to underscore the momentum in religious tourism. He said the Char Dham Yatra is breaking all previous records, with more than 45 lakh devotees completing darshan within just two months. He added that more than 1.5 lakh pilgrims have visited Hemkund Sahib, while more than 55,000 devotees have undertaken the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra — a route where, in earlier years, only a limited number of pilgrims were permitted annually. The Chief Minister also noted that he had the privilege of flagging off the first batch of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra on 5 July, attributing the record turnout to improved infrastructure, safe travel management, and the growing faith of devotees.

The event was attended by prominent figures including Swami Chidanand Saraswati Maharaj of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh; District Panchayat President Kiran Chaudhary; former Cabinet Minister Swami Yatishwaranand; and state ministers Sunil Saini, Deshraj Karnwal, Nitin Gautam, Ajit Chaudhary, Shobharam Prajapati, and Adesh Saini, along with district officials.

What's Next

CM Dhami reiterated the state government's pledge to make Kumbh Mela 2027 in Haridwar 'divine, grand, and safe' (divya, bhavya aur surakshit), calling it not merely a gathering of faith but a 'great festival of social harmony, spiritual consciousness, and Sanatan culture.' Progress on the Sharda Corridor and ongoing temple beautification projects will be closely watched as the state builds up to the 2027 Kumbh. With Uttarakhand positioning itself as a global spiritual hub, the convergence of pilgrimage records and infrastructure investment signals a sustained state-level push that will shape both religious tourism and cultural diplomacy in the years ahead.