Prime Minister Narendra Modi branded Uttarakhand’s winter tourism as ‘Gham tapo tourism’ (bask in the sun) and urged pilgrims, tourists, corporates and the film industry to visit the state in large numbers.
The PM is on a day-long visit to Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand. He addressed a public gathering in Harsil and spoke of a deep emotional connection with the spiritual aura of the state.
Mukhwa in Harsil is considered the winter abode of Ganga. Modi said it was the river’s blessings that had led him to Kashi and given him the opportunity to serve the country. He touched on the ‘profound realisation’ that he had of being a child of the river referred to as a Mother.
Emphasizing the significance of winter pilgrimage and tourism, he lauded Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami’s initiative in this direction. He stressed the need to make Uttarakhand’s tourism sector multi-dimensional and year-round, ensuring that tourism remains ‘on’ in every season.
Currently, most tourists visit Uttarakhand between March and June, leaving hotels, resorts, and homestays deserted in winter. This imbalance weakens the state’s economy for a large part of the year.
Modi said that people from around the world should be drawn to the divine aura of the land, often referred to as Devbhoomi, all year round to experience exhilarating activities such as trekking and skiing.
The Prime Minister noted that winter holds special religious significance in Uttarakhand. Many sacred rituals take place at various pilgrimage sites during this time. The grand rituals performed in Mukhwa village are an integral part of ancient traditions. Hence, the state government’s vision for year-round tourism will offer visitors a divine experience while creating employment opportunities throughout the year.
He highlighted the sharp rise in tourist footfall in Uttarakhand, recalling that before 2014, only 18 lakh pilgrims visited the Char Dham annually, whereas now, over 50 lakh make the journey each year.
This year’s Union Budget includes plans to develop 50 major tourist destinations, focusing on attracting visitors to border areas.
Once considered the last villages of India, these border villages are now being hailed as the first villages. The Vibrant Villages Programme is revitalizing settlements like Nelang and Jadung, which were abandoned after the 1962 war with China. Now, after 70 years, the government is rehabilitating these villages. Tourist facilities are also being developed in places like Timmersain, Mahadevsain, Mana, and Jadung.
Calling upon people from across India—especially the youth—to visit Uttarakhand in winter, the Prime Minister pointed out that when most of the country is shrouded in fog, the mountains bask in warm sunlight. In Garhwali, this is called ‘Gham Tapo Tourism’.
The Prime Minister urged corporates to host their meetings, conferences, and exhibitions in the state, and combine these with yoga and Ayurveda. He also invited college and university students to plan winter trips to Uttarakhand.
He also called on the wedding industry to make the state a destination for winter weddings. Similarly, the film industry should take advantage of the state’s stunning landscapes, as Uttarakhand has already been recognized as the Most Film-Friendly State.
He noted that many global destinations thrive on winter tourism, and Uttarakhand can learn from their success stories. The hot springs across the state, for example, can be developed into wellness spas. Likewise, spiritual and yoga organizations can hold special winter retreats in Uttarakhand.
He also stressed the need to leverage content creators to spread awareness about Uttarakhand’s winter tourism, even suggesting a national-level competition for promoting it.