PM lays foundation stones, dedicates to Nation various development projects in Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid foundation stones and dedicated to the Nation various development projects in Kedarnath.
He inaugurated Shri Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi and unveiled the statue of Shri Adi Shankaracharya. He also reviewed and inspected the ongoing infrastructure works.
Addressing a gathering at the picturesque holy place, the Prime Minister evoked the great spiritual rishi tradition of India and expressed his indescribable joy on coming to Kedarnath Dham. Recalling his interaction with soldiers at Nowshera yesterday, on Diwali, Mr. Modi said, he took the feelings of 130 crore Indians to soldiers.
Mr. Prime minister said, today he is on the land of soldiers and in the divine presence of Baba Kedar. The Prime Minister quoted a verse from Ramcharitmanas- ‘अबिगत अकथ अपार, नेति-नेति नित निगम कह’ meaning some experiences are so supernatural, so infinite that they cannot be expressed in words. He said this is how he feels under the shelter of Baba Kedarnath.
The Prime Minister said that new facilities like shelters, facilitation centres will ease the lives of priests and devotees and allow them to fully immerse in the divine experience of the pilgrimage. Recalling the Kedarnath floods in 2013, the Prime Minister noted that damage caused by the floods years ago was unimaginable. He thanked all the workers, priests, Rawal families of the priests, officials and the Chief Minister for relentlessly pursuing the development works at the Dham.
Prime Minister said he kept monitoring the work through drones and other technologies. He said that this combination of modernity with the eternal on this ancient land, these development works are the result of the natural grace of Lord Shankar.
Talking about Adi Shankaracharya, Mr. Modi said Acharya Shankar’s life was as extraordinary as it was devoted to the welfare of the common man. Prime minister said, a grand temple of Lord Shri Ram is coming up in Ayodhya.
Talking about the contribution of heroes of the Freedom Struggle, the Prime Minister asked the countrymen to visit the places related to the glorious freedom struggle of India and pious places of pilgrimage and get acquainted with the spirit of India.
Mr. Modi informed that work is going on at a fast pace on the Chardham road project, connecting with the Chardham highways and in future devotees can come to Kedarnath through cable car.
Mr. Modi said, work is going on to build a ropeway to make the darshan in Hemkund Sahib. The Prime Minister lauded Uttarakhand and its people for achieving the target of 100 per cent single-dose vaccination.
Key infrastructure projects which have been completed, including Saraswati Retaining Wall Aasthapath and Ghats, Mandakini Retaining Wall Aasthapath, Tirth Purohit Houses and Garud Chatti bridge on river Mandakini.
The projects have been completed at a cost of over 130 crore rupees. He also laid the foundation stone for multiple projects worth over 180 crore rupees, including the Redevelopment of Sangam Ghat, First Aid and Tourist Facilitation Centre, Admin Office and Hospital, two Guest Houses, Police Station, Command and Control Centre, Mandakini Aasthapath Queue Management and Rainshelter and Saraswati Civic Amenity Building.
The Prime Minister also offered prayers at the Kedarnath Temple. Prayers were offered and celebrations held at 12 Jyotirlingas and 4 dhams and many places of faith all over the country along with the event at Kedarnath Dham, all events were linked to the main event at Kedarnath Dham.
