Latest news with #NandaDeviRajJatYatra
Time of India
17-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Rare 4-horned lamb found in Chamoli, may lead next yr's Nanda Devi yatra
1 2 3 4 Dehradun: A five-month-old male lamb with four fully formed horns has been found in the hill village of Koti near Karnaprayag in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district — sparking both religious anticipation and scientific inquiry. The lamb, born to a local herder's flock, is being hailed by residents as the possible Chausingha Khadu, the sacred four-horned ram destined to lead the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra in 2026 — a 280km, 19-day pilgrimage held once every 12 years. The yatra, among the most spiritually resonant traditions in the central Himalayas, traces the mythical journey of goddess Nanda Devi from her paternal home in the hills to her consort Shiva's abode in Mount Kailash. Traditionally, the procession begins in Nauti village and passes through alpine meadows, glacial paths, and remote settlements before culminating at Roopkund and Homkund — high-altitude lakes wrapped in legend. At the forefront of this procession is the ram — not merely an animal, but a divine emissary. This year's discovery was unexpected. Harish Lal, a goat herder for two decades, noticed something unusual about one of his newborn lambs a few weeks after its birth. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo Its horns had split into two distinct pairs. "We've raised livestock for years," said his son, Gaurav. "This has never happened. It's a matter of luck if the committee chooses him. " The family offered the lamb — free of cost — to the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Samiti, the organising committee. Gautam Mingwal, a local social worker and former village head, was the first to pass the news to the committee. He described the discovery not as a miracle, but as a deeply meaningful return of a cultural symbol. "A four-horned Khadu doesn't appear often," he said. "When it does, it means something." Rakesh Kunwar, president of the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Committee, confirmed the offer but noted that the final decision would follow scripture and ritual. "Only the Maudvi rite has been completed so far. The full programme and the selection of the Chousingha Khadu will be announced on Basant Panchami," he said. The Maudvi rite is a traditional purification and invocation ceremony performed in Nauti village to formally begin preparations for the yatra. It involves worship of goddess Nanda Devi and the ritual declaration of the yatra's intent and schedule. The lamb's four horns are likely the result of a rare polycerate mutation. "It's an extremely uncommon occurrence," said S K Gupta, senior scientist at the Wildlife Institute of India. "Placental samples from this Khadu and its parents could offer meaningful insights, especially if these anomalies are geographically localised to the central Himalayan belt." Professor B N Shahi, from the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at GB Pant University, added that this particular breed is found only in Uttarakhand and is currently under phenotypic study. "There is a scientific story unfolding here alongside the spiritual one," he said. The Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra is sometimes called the Himalayan Kumbh, not because of its scale alone, but because of the generational memory it carries. As legend has it, when Nanda Devi leaves her paternal home, the skies weep in her honour — the pilgrimage begins with torrential rain. For now, the lamb remains in Koti, tethered in a stone-walled shed, unaware of its possible fate.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Dhami seeks centre's support for glacier research centre
Dehradun: Chief minister (CM) Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the 25th meeting of the central zonal council in Varanasi on Tuesday, chaired by Union home minister Amit Shah. During the meeting, Dhami emphasised Uttarakhand's strategic significance due to its location adjacent to international borders and highlighted several key issues related to the state. Dhami sought the centre's assistance for establishing a high-level glacier study centre to assess the impacts of climate change. He also requested technical support for setting up a biodiversity conservation institute and help in creating an international adventure sports training centre, citing the state's strong potential for adventure tourism. Furthermore, he urged the central govt to support the organisation of the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra in 2026 and the Kumbh Mela in 2027. You Can Also Check: Dehradun AQI | Weather in Dehradun | Bank Holidays in Dehradun | Public Holidays in Dehradun The CM pointed out that roughly 80% of the state's terrain is mountainous and 71% is forested, making economic activities challenging due to complex geography and vulnerability to natural disasters. In this context, he requested relaxation of certain policy provisions in the state's favour. He advocated for a lump-sum allocation of central grants under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and additional support for the effective implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo He also called upon Shah to extend greater support to the state through the Border Roads Organization. Additionally, he requested the development of facilities in border villages under the Vibrant Village Programme to curb migration and sought the initiation of communication services, including BharatNet, 4G expansion and satellite-based services in these areas. Dhami said that earlier meetings of the council have paved the way for resolving many critical policy and inter-state issues. "Significant work is being done in the areas of cooperation, security and regional coordination across the country," he added. The meeting was attended by UP CM Yogi Adityanath, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav, Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai and other senior ministers.
India Gazette
17-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Uttarakhand CM approves funds for multiple development projects
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], June 17 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has approved an amount of Rs 344.98 lakh for the strengthening and asphalting work of Tugdunda Bhainswada motor road in development block Pabo of assembly constituency Pauri of Pauri Garhwal. The state government also approved Rs 512.46 lakh for the construction work of 48m span steel girder bridge over Ragganga river in Malkot Kalimati Sera Tiwakhark motor road in development block Gairsain of assembly constituency Karnaprayag of Chamoli district, according to a release. An amount of Rs 183.47 lakh was also approvel for the reconstruction work of Nigam Nala Wala road by PC and new construction work of road from Soban Ram's house to Suresh Bhatt's house in Kaladhungi assembly constituency of Nainital district and Rs 528.91 lakh was approved for the new construction work of Chaudmanya-Kamatoli motor road in assembly constituency Gangolihat. The Chief Minister has also approved to increase the annual approved budget from Rs. 5 crore to Rs. 8 crore for smooth functioning of Sainik School, Ghodakhal Nainital and to improve the financial condition of the school. Additionally, CM Dhami approved the expenditure of Rs. 23.667 crore for expansion and modernization of fire services in the state. Earlier in the day, CM Dhami met Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi and discussed important issues related to the state. The Chief Minister requested the Union Defence Minister to merge Ranikhet and Lansdowne Cantonment area with municipalities which will help in the overall development of tourism and public facilities in these areas. He requested to grant permission to use the military helipads of Dharchula and Joshimath under RCS air service. The Chief Minister also requested to waive the fee payable for the services of the Indian Air Force for disaster and relief work of the state. The Chief Minister requested the Union Defence Minister to get the maintenance and upkeep work of Tharali Dewal-Mundoli-Van motor road from Gwaldam via Nandkesari done by the Public Works Department in future also. He said that this road is the main route of the important Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra of the state. 'This is an important journey organised every 12 years, which is proposed for the year 2026. This Yatra is a symbol of the state's religious and cultural faith.' The Union Defence Minister assured positive action on all the proposals. (ANI)
India Gazette
17-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh meets Rajnath Singh in Delhi; discuss several issues
New Delhi [India], June 17 (ANI): Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on Tuesday and discussed important issues related to the state. The Chief Minister requested the Union Defence Minister to merge Ranikhet and Lansdowne Cantonment area with municipalities which will help in the overall development of tourism and public facilities in these areas. He requested to grant permission to use the military helipads of Dharchula and Joshimath under RCS air service. The Chief Minister also requested to waive the fee payable for the services of the Indian Air Force for disaster and relief work of the state. The Chief Minister requested the Union Defence Minister to get the maintenance and upkeep work of Tharali Dewal-Mundoli-Van motor road from Gwaldam via Nandkesari done by the Public Works Department in future also. He said that this road is the main route of the important Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra of the state. 'This is an important journey organised every 12 years, which is proposed for the year 2026. This Yatra is a symbol of the state's religious and cultural faith' The Union Defence Minister assured positive action on all the proposals. On Monday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met Union Energy and Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal and requested special assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) and development of hydroelectric projects in the state. The Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to automate the power lines in the Rishikesh-Haridwar area and also for a viability gap fund of Rs 4,000 crore for the construction of hydroelectric projects in the Kumaon and Upper Yamuna regions of the state, a release said. The Chief Minister also requested a viability gap fund of Rs 3,800 crore for the development of pump storage projects in remote and difficult terrain of the state so that energy generation capacity can be increased in these areas and local development can also be promoted. Apart from this, the Chief Minister requested approval of the DPR of two important projects of Pitkul under the Power System Development Fund and also requested for approval of both these projects with a 100 per cent grant. The cost of these projects is Rs 1007.82 crore. The Chief Minister drew the attention of the Union Minister to the practical challenges of the current guidelines regarding the construction of residential units for the weaker income group under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban). He also informed that the State Government is successfully running projects under the private partnership model, but the system of lump sum central grants is affecting the cash flow of the projects. The Chief Minister urged that the phased assistance system (like 40:40:20) applicable on government land should also be implemented in private land-based projects. He said that clear guidelines be given to banks, NBFCs and other financial institutions in this regard so that the beneficiaries of the EWS category can easily get loan facilities. The Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to extend the RRTS (Regional Rapid Transit System) beyond Modipuram Meerut Marg to Haridwar. This will not only solve the traffic problem in the state but will also promote urbanisation and overall economic development. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Uttarakhand Cabinet approves formation of council to manage pilgrimage sites
Dehradun, The Uttarakhand government has decided to constitute a council for more systematic management of pilgrimages like the Char Dham and Adi Kailash Yatra. The decision was taken by the state cabinet at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday. A separate council, namely Uttarakhand Dharamsva and Tirthatan Parishad, is needed for better management of the pilgrimages to different Himalayan temples because of the growing rush of pilgrims every year, Secretary to the Chief Minister Shailesh Baghauli said. The work of the council would be to create, strengthen and maintain better infrastructural facilities for devotees coming on a pilgrimage and to make their journeys to the temples more comfortable, easy, safe and pleasant, he said. A separate budgetary provision will be made for the council, Baghauli said. With better road and air connectivity available in the state now, more and more pilgrims are coming to the state every year, he said. "There has been an unprecedented increase in the number of devotees coming to the state for the Char Dham dham Yatra, Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra, Purnagiri Yatra and Adi Kailash Yatra in recent years. Therefore, it was decided to form a separate unit—Uttarakhand Dharamsva and Tirthatan Parishad for their management and systematic operation," Baghauli said. Constituting a state body for the rapid development of ropeways in hilly terrain and implementing a self-employment scheme for single women were the other important decisions taken by the cabinet. Mukhyamantri Ekal Mahila Swarojgar Yojana is aimed at providing employment to destitute, abandoned or widowed women in their village or their area of residence and to provide them social security while strengthening their economic condition and to bring about qualitative improvement in their standard of living. In another important decision, the Cabinet approved the Uttarakhand Poultry Development Policy-2025. Officials said the state has a shortage of 15,444 lakh eggs and 395 lakh kilograms of poultry meat per year, in view of which this policy has been approved to promote investment in the state and make it self-reliant in the poultry sector.
