CM Dhami Unveils Shiva, Hanuman Idols in Khatima
Synopsis
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami unveiled statues of Lord Shiva and Mahabali Hanuman in Khatima's Bandiya area on 14 June 2026, reaffirming Uttarakhand's identity as Devbhoomi and the state government's commitment to protecting religious and cultural heritage.
Key Takeaways
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami unveiled statues of Lord Bholenath and Mahabali Hanuman in the Bandiya area, Khatima , on 14 June 2026 .
The Chief Minister described Uttarakhand as Devbhoomi and called cultural and religious preservation an inseparable part of the state's identity.
He stated that the state government is continuously working to protect and develop religious and cultural heritage across the state.
The event was attended by the District Magistrate , senior police officials, local elected representatives, and a large gathering of devotees.
The unveiling is consistent with Uttarakhand's broader policy of linking pilgrimage-based tourism with heritage conservation and local economic activity.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday, 14 June 2026 formally unveiled statues of Lord Bholenath (Shiva) and Mahabali Hanuman in the Bandiya area of Khatima, Udham Singh Nagar district, Uttarakhand, amid a large gathering of devotees and local officials. The unveiling ceremony was marked by what the Chief Minister's Office described as an atmosphere of deep devotion, enthusiasm, and spiritual fervour.
Context
Speaking at the event, CM Dhami declared that Uttarakhand Devbhoomi hai — 'Uttarakhand is the land of the gods' — and stressed that the state's culture, traditions, and religious faith are an inseparable part of its identity. He said the preservation and development of religious sites is 'not merely a matter of faith, but also a means of safeguarding our cultural heritage.' The crowd of devotees received the Chief Minister warmly and expressed satisfaction at the encouragement being given to religious and cultural activities in the region.
Policy Backdrop
Uttarakhand, officially known as Devbhoomi since its formation in 2000, has consistently linked heritage conservation with pilgrimage-based tourism and regional identity. The state government has run infrastructure projects around major religious corridors and has backed similar local installations of religious icons across districts. CM Dhami reiterated that his government 'is continuously working to protect and develop the state's religious and cultural heritage,' positioning such events within a broader policy of cultural stewardship.
Stakeholders and Impact
The ceremony was attended by a wide cross-section of local administration and elected representatives, including Nagar Palika President Ramesh Chand Joshi, former MLA Prem Singh Rana, Nagar Panchayat Nanakhmatta President Prem Singh Turna, MP representative Ravindra Rana, and District Magistrate Nitin Singh Bhadauria, alongside senior police and administrative officers. Udham Singh Nagar is a district with mixed demographics, and the state government has used such events to promote messaging around unity and social harmony. CM Dhami said the statues would 'strengthen positive energy, devotion, and the spirit of public welfare in society' and that such religious events 'promote unity, brotherhood, and values.'
What's Next
The Uttarakhand government is expected to continue expanding its programme of religious-site development, with observers watching for fresh budget allocations and new pilgrimage tourism circuits to be announced in upcoming assembly sessions. Events such as the Bandiya unveiling are part of a pattern across Himalayan states where cultural and religious infrastructure is increasingly tied to local economic activity and social cohesion goals.
Point of View
CM Dhami reinforces the Uttarakhand government's brand as the custodian of Devbhoomi's spiritual identity. The event fits a well-established pattern in which Himalayan state governments use cultural and religious ceremonies to build grassroots goodwill while simultaneously framing heritage conservation as a development agenda. With assembly sessions approaching, such visible outreach in a mixed-demographic district like Udham Singh Nagar also carries clear social-cohesion messaging. The broader arc points toward increasing state investment in religious infrastructure as both a cultural and an economic policy instrument.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did CM Dhami unveil in Khatima on 14 June 2026?
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami unveiled statues of Lord Bholenath (Shiva) and Mahabali Hanuman in the Bandiya area of Khatima, Udham Singh Nagar district, Uttarakhand, on 14 June 2026.
What did CM Dhami say about Uttarakhand's religious identity at the event?
CM Dhami said Uttarakhand is Devbhoomi — the land of the gods — and that the state's culture, traditions, and religious faith are an inseparable part of its identity. He added that preserving religious sites is also a means of safeguarding cultural heritage.
Where is Bandiya, and which district does Khatima belong to?
Bandiya is a locality in Khatima, which is a town in Udham Singh Nagar district in the southern part of Uttarakhand.
What is the Uttarakhand government's policy on religious heritage conservation?
The Uttarakhand government has consistently backed the development and preservation of religious sites, running infrastructure projects around major pilgrimage corridors and supporting local religious installations as part of its cultural heritage agenda.
Who attended the statue unveiling ceremony in Khatima?
The ceremony was attended by Nagar Palika President Ramesh Chand Joshi, former MLA Prem Singh Rana, District Magistrate Nitin Singh Bhadauria, senior police officers, MP representative Ravindra Rana, and a large number of devotees and local residents.
