Hilljatra not merely a festival but an integral part of rich folk traditions: Uttarakhand CM

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], August 24 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, virtually addressing the gathering in Kumaoni on the occasion of the famous Hilljatra festival in Pithoragarh, highlighted its historical and cultural significance. He said that Hilljatra is not merely a festival but an integral part of the rich folk traditions, culture and heritage passed down through generations by our ancestors.
Dhami addressed the programme on the occasion of Pithoragarh's famous traditional festival, Hilljatra, from the Chief Minister's Camp Office in Dehradun. The traditional folk festival is closely associated with the region's rich culture, agricultural traditions and local way of life, according to a release.
The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares a special bond with Uttarakhand and has himself visited Adi Kailash and the Gunji region. The Prime Minister's visit to Adi Kailash has given new recognition to Uttarakhand's border areas and their spiritual and cultural heritage at the national and global level, he added.
He said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, the state government is working through the Manaskhand Mandir Mala Mission to develop the ancient and religious sites of the Kumaon and Garhwal regions, while also improving facilities and connectivity between them.
The Chief Minister said that the Manaskhand region has an exceptionally rich religious, cultural and spiritual heritage. The government is committed to preserving this heritage, promoting religious tourism and creating new opportunities for employment and self-employment for local people.
He said that traditional events such as Hilljatra are an important reflection of the state's folk culture. Their preservation and promotion are helping the younger generation connect with their roots, culture and the glorious traditions of their ancestors. Taking Uttarakhand's rich cultural heritage to the people across the country and the world remains among the government's key priorities. (ANI)