Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday virtually attended the ‘Pratham Dhanvantari Mahotsav’ held at Malagram, Yamkeshwar. Extending greetings for the festival, he said that the ‘Herbal World Himalaya Shri Dhanvantari Dham’ in Malagram is a unique global center for Ayurveda and natural medicine. It will represent India’s “Arogya Sanskriti” and bring together nine major systems of herbal medicine along with nearly 964 healing traditions from around the world.
Dhami said the center will promote innovation, research, and training in Ayurveda, yoga, and natural medicine. He noted that Ayurveda, with its holistic approach, has gained global acceptance for ensuring physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Uttarakhand, he said, has long been a land of medicinal plants and herbal knowledge that continue to shape Ayurveda as a core of healthy living.
The Chief Minister added that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the AYUSH Ministry has strengthened traditional healing systems through initiatives like the National AYUSH Mission and the Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan. In Uttarakhand, over 300 AYUSH health centers are operating, and new 10- and 50-bed AYUSH hospitals are being established in every district.
He also mentioned that the state is planning AYUSH tele-consultation services and 50 new yoga and wellness centers. Financial grants up to Rs 10 lakh are being offered for research in yoga and natural medicine. Additionally, spiritual economic zones will be developed in both Garhwal and Kumaon to promote Ayurveda, yoga, and wellness tourism.
The event was attended by Assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri Bhushan, Cabinet Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, former Chief Minister Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Swami Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna, and Baba Hatyogi.
