PM Modi performs puja at Gauri Kund in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh, meditates in front of Adi Kailash peak

"I am overwhelmed with the darshan and worship at the holy Parvati Kund of Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand. I am also happy to catch a glimpse of Adi Kailash from here. From this place of spirituality and culture nestled in the lap of nature, I wished a happy life for all family members," he said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

PM Modi started his daylong trip to the border state by beholding the Adi Kailash summit, a revered abode of Shiva. He donned traditional attire, including a white turban and an upper body garment called 'ranga'.

He performed an aarti at the Shiva Parvati temple situated beside Parvati Kund in Jolingkong.

He also engaged in a meditative moment with folded hands in front of the Adi Kailash peak.

Thereafter, he proceeded to Gunji village where he interacted with the locals and visited an exhibition showcasing local artifacts. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami accompanied him during this visit.

He also met and interacted with the dedicated personnel of the Army, BRO and ITBP and lauded their relentless service in trying conditions. 'Their spirit and dedication inspires the entire nation,' he wrote on X.

Next, he visited Jageshwar Dham, an ancient Shiva temple about 15 km from Gunji, and offered prayers there before a Kumaoni lunch.

Later in the day, he returned to Pithoragarh and laid the foundation stone for several developmental projects worth Rs 4,200 crore and address a public meeting.

These 23 projects include a wide range of sectors including infrastructure, education, health, electricity, drinking water, sports, tourism, disaster mitigation, and horticulture. They are set to invigorate various aspects of the hill state.

The foundation stones of the projects laid by the prime minister at an event in Pithoragarh included 21,398 poly-houses, cultivation of high density intensive apple orchards, five works of double-laning of roads and slope treatment of national highways and the construction of 32 bridges in the state.

These also included strengthening of disaster management mechanism, expansion of education, health and sports facilities and development of temples in the Manaskhand area on the lines of Chardham.