Dehradun, April 3 -- Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday said the state government is focusing on further strengthening the Char Dham Yatra and is committed to securing global recognition for religious tourism in Uttarakhand. Speaking after offering prayers at Shri Hanuman Dham in Choi area of Ramnagar in Nainital district, Dhami said winter pilgrimage and tourism activities are continuing across the state and will go on until the portals of the Char Dham shrines reopen. According to the chief minister, around 160,000 devotees have so far visited various religious sites in the state during the winter pilgrimage season. He added that preparations for the upcoming Char Dham pilgrimage have already begun. Dhami said a "large number of tourists and devotees continue to visit the state even during winter months, reflecting the growing importance of religious tourism in Uttarakhand". The government's aim is to further strengthen religious tourism and enhance the state's identity on the global stage, he said. Expressing gratitude to devotees, the chief minister said he prayed for the prosperity and well-being of the people of the state and sought the blessings of Lord Hanuman for Uttarakhand's continued progress. During his visit to the temple, Dhami welcomed public representatives, office-bearers and devotees present at the event and said that reaching the shrine is possible only through the blessings of Lord Hanuman. Sharing a personal anecdote, the chief minister said he had tried to visit the shrine on several earlier occasions but could not do so due to his schedule. "This time, by the grace of Bajrangbali, the visit was organised suddenly and I got the opportunity to offer prayers," he said. Referring to developments under the leadership of Narendra Modi, Dhami said that "after decades of waiting, the grand Ram Temple Ayodhya has been constructed". He also mentioned the development of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, which has significantly improved facilities for devotees. The chief minister said that large-scale development works are also underway at Kedarnath Dham and Badrinath Dham, strengthening Uttarakhand's identity as a major religious destination. Calling Uttarakhand "Devbhoomi", the chief minister said, "Preserving the state's religious faith and cultural heritage is the government's top priority". He added that strict laws are being implemented to maintain religious harmony and that Uttarakhand has become the first state in the country to implement the Uniform Civil Code. The chief minister said that under the guidance of PM Modi, the state government has resolved to make Uttarakhand the best state in the country....