Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spotlighted Uttarakhand's remarkable transformation into a premier destination for winter vacations, adventure sports, and scenic weddings during his latest monthly radio broadcast, 'Mann Ki Baat'.
Winter Tourism Sees Unprecedented Growth
In a dedicated segment lasting two-and-a-half minutes, the Prime Minister emphasized the significant increase in winter visitors to the hill state. He specifically mentioned that picturesque locations like Auli, Munsyari, Dayara, and Chopta are drawing tourists in record numbers during the colder months.
"People are increasingly choosing Uttarakhand's snow-covered valleys for winter vacations," Modi stated, encouraging listeners nationwide to consider the Himalayan state for their next holiday. He added that the experiences offered by the region create memories that "stay with a person for life".
Emerging as Premier Wedding Destination
The Prime Minister also highlighted Uttarakhand's rapidly growing reputation as a favored location for winter weddings. He credited this trend to multiple factors including improved connectivity, better road access, upgraded facilities, and the cultural appeal of riverside venues along the Ganga.
These developments have encouraged numerous families to organize their wedding ceremonies against the stunning backdrop of mountain sunshine and drifting winter mist, creating unforgettable experiences for all participants.
Adventure Sports and Pilgrimage Tourism Boom
Modi pointed to the state's expanding adventure sports culture, specifically mentioning the high-altitude ultra-run marathon recently conducted at Adi Kailash, situated at 14,500 feet in Pithoragarh district. The event demonstrated remarkable participation with over 750 athletes from 18 states braving sub-zero temperatures to compete.
The Prime Minister also noted the dramatic increase in pilgrim numbers to Adi Kailash, revealing that visitor counts have surged from approximately 2,000 annually three years ago to nearly 30,000 now.
Government Support and Future Initiatives
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed gratitude to PM Modi for promoting the state, describing him as "the biggest brand ambassador of Uttarakhand tourism". Dhami confirmed that the state government has been focusing on strengthening winter travel, destination weddings, and adventure tourism, and considered the Prime Minister's remarks as an endorsement of these ongoing efforts.
The Chief Minister added that previous visits by PM Modi to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Adi Kailash, and Jageshwar had directly boosted tourism in those regions, generating new livelihood opportunities for local communities. He confirmed that the government is currently developing structured winter travel circuits to promote off-season tourism throughout the state.
"Uttarakhand is committed to showcasing its natural, spiritual and adventure potential on the global map," Dhami affirmed, underscoring the state's dedication to becoming a world-class tourism destination.
