Uttarakhand’s holy rivers Ganga and Sharda to get a grand makeover for devotees & tourists

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced plans to develop corridors along the Ganga and Sharda rivers to promote religious tourism in the state. Highlighting the spiritual and cultural significance of these rivers, Dhami said they hold deep faith for millions of Indians.

"The Ganga and Sharda rivers are not just integral to our lives but also represent the faith of crores of countrymen. Our double-engine government is committed to developing corridors along these rivers, making religious tourism more accessible and convenient for devotees from across the country and abroad," he said, according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office.

The proposed corridors aim to improve infrastructure and enhance facilities for pilgrims, further strengthening Uttarakhand’s position as a major spiritual destination. The initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to boost tourism while preserving the state’s religious and cultural heritage.


On Friday, Dhami also spoke about the enduring relevance of ancient Indian scriptures in shaping both scientific and spiritual thought. Addressing the closing ceremony of the 62nd All India Shastraotsav at Patanjali Vishwavidyalaya in Haridwar, he said Vedic knowledge continues to influence modern scientific advancements.

He pointed out that scriptures not only guide physical and mental well-being through yoga, pranayama, and meditation but also reveal deep insights in fields such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, grammar, biology, physics, chemistry, medical science, and astronomy. According to Dhami, even modern mathematicians and scientists remain astonished by the knowledge contained in these texts.

He stressed the importance of educating the younger generation about India’s rich mathematical and scientific heritage, particularly concepts like zero and the decimal system, which form the foundation of modern science. Events like Shastraotsav, he said, play a vital role in raising awareness about these contributions.

Dhami also spoke about India’s cultural resurgence on the global stage, attributing it to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that under Modi’s leadership, Indian knowledge traditions and cultural heritage are gaining renewed recognition worldwide. Inspired by this, the Uttarakhand government is actively working to preserve and promote the state's ancient traditions and wisdom.

(with agency inputs)