'Very excited to visit Maa Ganga's winter abode': PM Modi ahead of visiting Mukhaba temple in Uttarakhand

PM Modi arrives in Uttarakhand on Thursday

Ahead of the beginning of 2025 Char Dham Yatra, Prime Minister will visit the Mukhaba temple, which is the winter seat of Goddess Ganga since the main shrine in Gangotri becomes inaccessible during the harsh winter months.

The idol of Maa Ganga is moved to the Mukhba Temple in winter from the Gangotri Temple, which gets covered by snow. Before the Char Dham Yatra begins in May, the idol will make its way back to the Gangotri Temple in a grand procession.

The PM’s visit comes ahead of the start of the Char Dham Yatra this May, when Kedarnath and Badrinath Dhams will open, along with Gangotri and Yamnotri. Mukhba is located on the banks of the river Bhagirathi. Last year, a record 50 lakh pilgrims visited the Char Dhams, and the government expects bigger numbers in 2025., according to News18.

“I am very excited to visit the winter residence of the pure Mother Ganga in Mukhba. This holy place is famous all over the world for its spiritual significance and amazing beauty. Not only this, but it is also a unique example of our resolve of ‘heritage as well as development’,” the PM said in a statement.

A day ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, the union cabinet also approved mega projects to build a ropeway to Kedarnath and the Hemkund Sahib shrines in the region. A first-ever rail link to the Char Dham pilgrimage is also fast taking shape from Rishikesh to Karnaprayag—a key 13.5 km rail tunnel to Karnaprayag is on the fast construction mode for completion next year, CNN-News18 has learnt.

The Mandir Samiti at the Mukhba temple could present the traditional dress Chapkan to the PM, and he may offer prayers wearing it. The Prime Minister will also address a public meeting in Harsil and flag off a trek and bike rally, according to News18.

“I am very happy that the double-engine government of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand has started a special programme to promote winter tourism this year. While this is encouraging religious tourism, many local businesses, including homestays, are also getting opportunities to flourish,” the PM said.

The Uttarakhand government said the arrival of the Prime Minister will boost the tourism sector and the main tourism agency, Garhwal Mandal Development Corporation (GMVN), is also expecting an increase in footfall. “In the last five years, GMVN has continuously increased its turnover by expanding tourism activities. It is expected that the situation will improve further with the visit of the Prime Minister. The PM’s coming to Uttarakhand for the winter tour is a matter of good fortune. This will definitely give impetus to the winter travel of Uttarakhand,” Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Dhami said in a statement.

The total turnover of GMVN in 2020-21 was Rs 3,146.63 lakh, which increased to Rs 3,297.41 lakh in the year 2021-22. In 2022-23, it saw a jump and reached Rs 7,832.14 lakh. In 2023-24, the turnover of GMVN further increased to Rs 8,145.15 lakh. In this financial year, till January, the turnover of GMVN has been Rs 6,672.05 lakh, according to News18.

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved two ropeway projects for Uttarakhand under the National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala Pariyojana. The projects include a 12.9-kilometre ropeway from Sonprayag to Kedarnath and a 12.4-kilometre ropeway from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib.

The construction of these two major ropeway projects is expected to take between four and six years.