Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended the 14th Diwali fair organised by Bharat Vikas Parishad in Khatima and announced that 20 Chhath ghats would be built across 8 towns, including Khatima.
The announced locations are Kashipur, Jaspur, Rudrapur, Bazpur, Gadarpur, Sitarganj, Khatima and Kichha. Dhami also announced Chhath Puja ghats at Premnagar on the right bank of the Tons river in Dehradun, at Badhawala on the Yamuna riverbank in Vikasnagar and at Banbasa in Champawat.
Cultural heritage and public facilities
Addressing the gathering, Dhami extended his Diwali greetings and praised Bharat Vikas Parishad’s work linked to service and cultural values. He said such organisations help unite society and encourage people to work towards a common direction.
The chief minister said the state government was working to preserve religious and cultural heritage while connecting future generations with their inheritance. The Chhath ghats announced at multiple locations are intended to support devotees observing the festival in different parts of Uttarakhand.
Dhami said development in the state was being pursued alongside the protection and promotion of its culture. He referred to the development of the 4 pilgrsites in Kedarkhand and said reconstruction and infrastructure work was progressing at ancient temples and religious places in Mans Khand on similar lines.
He also said work to give the disaster-damaged town of Baba Kedar a grand and sacred form had advanced quickly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
Corridors and academic initiative
The chief minister said the Ganga corridor in Haridwar-Rishikesh and the Sharda corridor along the banks of Maa Sharda were progressing rapidly. He put the combined cost of these projects at approximately ₹3,000 crore.
Dhami also highlighted the establishment of a ‘Centre for Hindu Study’ at Doon University. The centre is intended to encourage deeper study of Indian culture, philosophy and history.
The event was attended by District Panchayat President Ajay Maurya, state minister-level office-bearers Gambhir Singh Dhami and Mohini Pokhariya, and Kishan Singh and Santosh Gaurav. Nagar Palika President Ramesh Chandra Joshi, general secretary Ramesh Joshi, district vice-president Amit Kumar Pandey, Himanshu Bisht, District Magistrate Nitin Singh Bhadauria, other officials and public representatives were also present.
Conclusion
The key announcement from the Khatima event was the planned construction of 20 Chhath ghats in 8 towns, alongside additional ghats in Dehradun, Vikasnagar and Banbasa. The chief minister also linked the announcement to wider efforts to preserve Uttarakhand’s religious and cultural heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where was the Diwali fair held?
The 14th Diwali fair was held in Khatima and organised by Bharat Vikas Parishad.
Q. How many Chhath ghats were announced for 8 towns?
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced 20 Chhath ghats in Kashipur, Jaspur, Rudrapur, Bazpur, Gadarpur, Sitarganj, Khatima and Kichha.
Q. Where else were Chhath Puja ghats announced?
Additional ghats were announced at Premnagar in Dehradun, Badhawala in Vikasnagar and Banbasa in Champawat.
Q. What is the stated purpose of the Centre for Hindu Study?
The Centre for Hindu Study at Doon University is intended to promote deeper study of Indian culture, philosophy and history.
Q. What cost was mentioned for the Ganga and Sharda corridors?
The chief minister said the projects were progressing at an approximate cost of ₹3,000 crore.
