Fairs and festivals are the rich repository of our rich cultural heritage and these should be preserved for the posterity. This was stated by Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh while performing 'pooja' at the famous Hatu Devi Temple near Narkanda on the occasion of annual Hatu Mela in Shimla district today.
Virbhadra Singh said that Himachal Pradesh was universally acclaimed as land of fairs and festivals which depict the rich culture of the State. He said that Hatu Temple, situated at the height of 11,151 feet was a centre of faith for people. He said that he himself has been visiting this sacred place regularly for the last over thirty years. Chief Minister also formally inaugurated the new temple complex constructed at a cost of Rs. 1.25 crore. He said that construction of this temple has been carried out in traditional hill architect and it took four years to complete this complex. He said that this would be a new attraction for visiting Narkanda area besides facilitating the devotees visiting the temple.
Chief Minister and Irrigation and Public Health Minister planted saplings of 'Chinar' at Narkanda. Irrigation and Public Health Minister Smt. Vidya Stokes, former MP and Vice Chairperson State Red Cross Smt. Pratibha Singh, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Shri Nand Lal, Advisor to Chief Minister Shri T.G. Negi, Deputy Commissioner Shri Dinesh Malhotra, Superintendent of Police Shri Abhishek Dullar, President Shimla District Rural Congress Shri Kehar Singh Khachi, PCC Member Shri Vijay Pal Khachi, Director APEDA Shri Prakash Thakur, former DCC President Shri Sudhir Bhaik, Chairman Notified Area Committeen Kumarsain Shri Om Prakash Sharma, Chairman HP State Agriculture Rural Development Bank Shri Devi Singh Jistu, Director BoD Tourism Shri Rupesh Kanwar, Chairman, Zila Parishad Shri Chandreshwar Prasad, Block Congress Committee, Rohru Chairman Shri Ishwar Dass Chhuharu and other prominent persons were present on the occasion.