Dhami urges pilgrims to ignore rumours as Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib yatras continue smoothly

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has asked pilgrims visiting the Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib shrines not to believe rumours or false information being spread on social media. He said the yatras are running smoothly and the state government is fully committed to the safety, comfort and convenience of all devotees.

The Chief Minister gave this message during a high-level meeting held at the Secretariat on Tuesday. In the meeting, he reviewed the arrangements for the ongoing pilgrimage season and instructed officials to make sure all basic services and facilities are available for the pilgrims.

Dhami said that Devbhoomi Uttarakhand welcomes all visitors with open arms. He encouraged tourists and devotees to enjoy their spiritual journey in the peaceful and beautiful environment of the Himalayan state. According to him, Uttarakhand is not only a land of faith but also a place of culture and natural beauty.

The Char Dham Yatra is one of the most important religious journeys in India. Every year, lakhs of people visit the four holy shrines—Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Along with this, Hemkund Sahib, an important Sikh pilgrimage site, also attracts thousands of devotees.

This year too, the yatra has seen a large number of pilgrims. The Chief Minister said more than 40 lakh devotees have already visited the Char Dham shrines this season. This shows the deep faith people have in these holy places.

He also highlighted that the Hemkund Sahib Yatra is progressing well. In fact, the number of devotees visiting Hemkund Sahib this year has increased compared to last year. Dhami said that during the early phase of the yatra, around 25,000 more pilgrims have visited Hemkund Sahib than in the same period last year.

This increase in visitors shows growing interest and trust in the management of the pilgrimage. The government has been working hard to improve roads, medical support, security, accommodation and transport facilities.

Officials have been told to stay alert and ensure there is no inconvenience to pilgrims. Dhami said all departments must work together to make the yatra successful and safe.

The Chief Minister also reminded officials that Uttarakhand’s image as a spiritual destination depends on how well the pilgrims are treated. He said every visitor should feel respected, safe and comfortable.

Warning against rumours and social media misinformation

Dhami strongly warned people against spreading false or provocative messages on social media. He said such rumours can create confusion, fear and unnecessary tension among pilgrims and local residents.

His statement came after recent incidents in Karnaprayag and Nagarasu, which had created concern among some people. While speaking about these incidents, Dhami said the state government, administration and police are already taking action.

He assured the public that investigations are being carried out carefully. Anyone found guilty in these incidents will face strict action according to the law. He made it clear that the government will not tolerate any activity that disturbs peace or creates division in society.

The Chief Minister said social media can be useful, but it can also become dangerous when people spread fake news without checking facts. He urged everyone to act responsibly and not believe or share unverified information.

He especially stressed that attempts to create communal tension or hurt religious feelings will be dealt with seriously. According to him, Uttarakhand is known for peace, unity and respect for all religions.

Dhami said the culture of Uttarakhand is based on the idea of “Atithi Devo Bhava,” which means guests are treated like God. He said this value is deeply rooted in the state’s tradition and every visitor is welcomed with respect.

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He also spoke about the importance of religious harmony. He said Uttarakhand is home to many important spiritual places of different faiths. Along with the Char Dham shrines, places like Hemkund Sahib, Reetha Sahib and Nanakmatta Sahib are major centres of faith for Sikh devotees.

These places bring together people from different communities and regions, making Uttarakhand a symbol of unity in diversity.

Dhami said that maintaining this harmony is one of the government’s top priorities. He added that dialogue, mutual respect and understanding are the best ways to solve problems.

The government has also strengthened security arrangements during the yatra season. Police, disaster response teams and medical teams are on standby to help pilgrims in case of emergencies.

Special attention is being given to weather conditions, road safety and crowd management. Since the pilgrimage routes pass through mountainous areas, officials have been instructed to remain prepared for any sudden challenges.

The Chief Minister said the state government is continuously monitoring the yatra and making improvements wherever needed. He thanked officials, volunteers and local people for helping in the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.

In his final message, Dhami appealed to all pilgrims to focus on their spiritual journey and not get distracted by rumours. He said the government is fully prepared and committed to ensuring that every devotee completes the yatra safely and peacefully.

With lakhs of people already visiting and more expected in the coming weeks, Uttarakhand remains focused on making the Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib yatras successful, peaceful and memorable for all.