PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
Former Education minister and Congress leader Mantri Prasad Naithani emphasised that pilgrimage, rather than tourism, should be the primary focus in Uttarakhand. He said this while announcing the commencement of the Baba Vishwanath Jagagishila Doli Yatra in the State.
Naithani stated that this year, for the 26th time, Baba Vishwanath Jagadishila Doli Yatra will be held in the State. It will begin this year on May 7 and conclude on the occassion of Ganga Dussehra on June 5. The Yatra will begin from Haridwar and, like in past years, it will pass through various places and temples across 13 districts, covering a distance of 10,500 kilometres throughout Uttarakhand. The journey will circumambulate the temples and conclude at Vishon mountain on the day of Ganga Dussehra. The Yatra aims to promote peace and prosperity for the State while also focusing on the protection of Dev Sanskriti, he said.
Naithani further added that this year, the Doli Yatra will emphasise the protection and conservation of the Himalaya in addition to its traditional goals. He said that the Yatra has been acknowledged for its focus on peace and development and areas that it has passed through in previous years have seen significant development, including the establishment of many prominent temples.
He underscored that the soul of Uttarakhand is rooted in pilgrimage rather than tourism. Additionally, he said that since this yatra promotes peace, there have been no reports of attacks or other violent activities in Uttarakhand. He further added that the state government has also initiated the creation of pilgrimage circuits, which is largely due to the influence of this Doli Yatra, which aims for peace all over.
