Dehradun: Enthused by the success of ongoing Char Dham Yatra, which is being held for the third consecutive season since the 2013 disaster, the state government has decided to organise programmes on November 24 to celebrate 'Safe Uttarakhand' to attract more pilgrims to the state.
Chief Minister Harish Rawat issued directives to officials in this regard yesterday, asking them to organise, with greater fanfare than usual, the ceremonial processions in which idols of deities installed in Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri are taken to nearby villages for their winter sojourn.
The annual event which takes place after the portals of the four famous Himalayan shrines are closed should be held on a larger scale and duly publicised to lure more and more devotees from across the country and abroad to take part in the processions, an official release quoting Rawat said.
The Chief Minister also asked them to take help of the other institutions which are involved in conducting the yatra to put across the message of safe Uttarakhand.
Officials were also asked to work out details to give 30 per cent concession in food, lodging and transportation to tourists visiting the state from November 1 to 24.
The Chief Minister asked the tourism department to organise special programmes in Jageshwar and Madmaheshwar from November 1 to 24.
Rawat also said the Fuldei festival this year be celebrated as Rajya Pushpa Diwas and tourists should be told about flowers unique to Uttarakhand.
