Kedarnath shrine will become a model pilgrimage site: PM Narendra Modi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday his government's work in Uttarakhand 's Kedarnath shrine will be a model for what a pilgrimage site should be.He said it will be not just a pligrimage site, but a site for adventure sport, a site that will showcase natural beauty and one that will also be an ecological model. The PM's visit came on the eve of the shrine's closure for the winter season. He last visited in May, when the shrine reopened after the winter break. PM Modi also saluted the people of Uttarakhand for their discipline."Discipline is in the blood of people here in Uttarakhand , at least one person from each family here is a soldier," he said.The PM spoke of making Kedarnath a tourism spot that offers something for everyone."The Himalayas have so much to offer- for spiritual pursuits, for the nature lover, for those interested in adventure, water sports. I invite everyone to come and explore the Himalayas...Through the work we are doing in Kedarnath, we want to show how an ideal 'Tirth Kshetra' (pilgrimage spot) should be, how it should be pilgrim friendly and the well-being of the priests should be given importance," said the PM.The PM stressed that the environment won't be harmed while Kedarnath is being developed."We are building quality infrastructure in Kedarnath. It will be modern but the traditional ethos will be preserved. We will ensure the environment is not damaged," said Modi.Modi recalled how he requested the then chief minister (CM) of Uttarakhand to give the reconstruction of Kedarnath to the Gujarat government, after the floods of 2013. He alleged that the then CM agreed, but the then UPA government at the Centre put pressure on the CM to say the state didn't need Gujarat's help."After we won the Assembly elections in Uttarakhand (in February), I became convinced that 'baba' (god) wanted me to do the reconstruction job," said Modi.Earlier on Friday, he laid the foundation stone for a slew of reconstruction projects in Kedarpuri, including the renovation of Adi Guru Shankaracharya's tomb, which was devastated in the flash floods of 2013.