Dehradoon : Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday announced that the recitation of verses from the Bhagavad Gita has been made mandatory in schools across the state.
The initiative, he said, is aimed at connecting students with Indian culture, moral values and the philosophy of life, contributing to their overall development.
Sharing the announcement on the social media platform X, Dhami said the move would help students stay rooted in cultural traditions while shaping their character and values.
On the same day, the Chief Minister also highlighted Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage by sharing a video of the historic Kattarmal Sun Temple in Almora district.
Dedicated to Lord Suryadev, the temple dates back to the Katyuri era and is known for its remarkable architecture and spiritual significance. Dhami said the site reflects Uttarakhand’s glorious history and rich cultural tradition, and invited visitors to explore the ancient monument during their winter travels.
In another post, the Chief Minister said cultural programmes like Mahakauthig play a key role in preserving Uttarakhand’s heritage and uniting people from the state who live outside the hill region.
Addressing the seven-day Mahakauthig organised by the Parvatiya Cultural Society at Noida Stadium in Gautam Buddh Nagar, Dhami said it was a matter of pride that Uttarakhandis living outside the state continue to keep their folk culture and traditions alive. He described them as true brand ambassadors of Uttarakhand.
Dhami said Mahakauthig is more than a cultural event and serves as a living platform that showcases the soul of the state while passing on folk traditions, art forms and cultural values to the younger generation.
The Chief Minister added that the state government remains fully committed to protecting the cultural and social unity of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, and said strict laws are being enforced to prevent religious conversion, divisive ideologies and encroachments on government land.
