Dehradun, March 6 (NationPress) On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the importance of promoting year-round tourism in Uttarakhand, declaring that no season should be considered off-season for the region, thus revitalizing the concept of winter tourism.

The Prime Minister's visit to Mukhwa, the winter residence of Maa Ganga, and the stunning Harsil Valley carries profound implications for Uttarakhand's tourism sector as his statements are likely to resonate throughout the nation and beyond.

PM Modi has been a steadfast proponent of winter tourism in Uttarakhand. His initiatives to elevate the state's tourism profile have set the stage for a rapid expansion of winter tourism.

Through his visit to Harsil, PM Modi has laid a robust groundwork for these vital aspects of tourism in Uttarakhand.

He has actively promoted the state in various ways—whether by endorsing “Gham Tapo Pariyatan” (the Garhwali term for sun-basking tourism), suggesting yoga retreats led by spiritual leaders during winter, encouraging corporate seminars, inviting filmmakers for shoots, or appealing to social media influencers—all these endeavors are anticipated to have a long-lasting impact.

During his visit, PM Modi highlighted that winter is the most enchanting time to experience the true essence of Uttarakhand, with exhilarating activities such as trekking and skiing.

He lauded the Uttarakhand government's vision for 365-day tourism, asserting that it would provide visitors with a variety of enriching experiences.

"Our double-engine government is dedicated to transforming Uttarakhand into a developed state. From the Char Dham All-Weather Road to modern expressways, railway expansion, air travel, and helicopter services, Uttarakhand has undergone rapid progress in the last decade," he stated.

This visit reaffirms the Prime Minister's role as Uttarakhand's most prominent brand ambassador. A prime illustration of this is Kedarnath Dham, where his active involvement resulted in record-breaking pilgrim attendance last year.

The residents of Mukhwa and Harsil were visibly overjoyed by PM Modi's visit. This marks the first instance in independent India's history that a Prime Minister has visited the winter home of Maa Ganga for worship. Furthermore, such dedicated efforts to promote this initiative have never been seen before, according to locals.

Suresh Semwal, Secretary of the Gangotri Temple, described this moment as one of immense pride. Priest and folk artist Rajnikant Semwal expressed gratitude, saying, "We are thankful to Prime Minister for choosing Mukhwa."