Uttarakhand CM Dhami flags off Kalash Yatra for Surya idol Jalabhishek in Kushinagar

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], July 11 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday flagged off the Kalash Yatra for the Jalabhishek of the idol of Lord Surya in Kushinagar district from his official residence in Dehradun.
As part of the initiative, water from around 151 sacred rivers across the country is being collected for the Jalabhishek of the Surya idol in Kushinagar. The Kalash Yatra, flagged off by the Chief Minister, includes water gathered from the holy rivers of Uttarakhand.
Mahamandaleshwar 1008 Swami Santoshanand Dev Maharaj, President of the Purvanchal Mahotsav Samiti Vinay Rai, along with other committee members, were present during the flagging-off ceremony.
Earlier on Thursday, in view of the Kanwar Yatra, the Uttarakhand government launched 'Operation Kalanemi' to take action against imposters who are hurting religious sentiments and duping people in the name of 'Sanatan Dharma'.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that many such cases have come to light in the state where anti-social elements are cheating people, especially women, by disguising themselves as seers. This, he said, is not only hurting the religious sentiments of the people, but also harming the image of social harmony and Sanatan tradition. In such a situation, if a person of any religion is found doing such acts, then strict action will be ensured against him, he added.
Chief Minister referenced the mythological asura Kalanemi stating that just like the demon had attempted to mislead by disguising himself as a saint, similarly, many "Kalanemis" are active in society today who are committing crimes in religious guise.
Dhami further said that his government is fully committed to protecting public sentiments, the dignity of Sanatan culture and maintaining social harmony. Those who spread hypocrisy in the name of faith will not be spared under any circumstances, he said. (ANI)