Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the state government has shown remarkable commitment to conserve the State’s cultural heritage while modernizing religious sites and improving facilities for devotees. The government has so far sanctioned over Rs. 550 crore for conservation and development works, exhibiting its strong resolve to safeguard age old traditions and customs vis-à-vis keeping pace with modernity.
Nearly Rs. 50 crore has been approved for the restoration of ancient temples, forts and archaeological sites. In addition, around Rs. 37 crore have been sanctioned for development works in temples. To improve the convenience of pilgrims the innovative SUGAM Darshan system was introduced at Shree Chintpurni temple in August, 2023. Apart from routine crowd management, special facilities for the elderly and specially-abled individuals are also being provided. Online langar booking and online darshan have also been launched and would soon be extended to other temple trusts.
A sum of Rs. 56.26 crore sanctioned for Shree Chintpurni Temple to promote religious tourism, while a Rs. 250 crore grand complex is under construction at the temple. Further, Rs. 100 crore each has been approved for the development of Shree Jwalaji and Shree Naina Devi Temples.
To uphold the sanctity of rituals, priests were being provided special training. Recently, 15 priests from Shree Chintpurni Temple and 10 priests from Shree Naina Devi Temple underwent online training through Banaras Hindu University and more priests will be trained in phased manner.
Financial support has also been extended to cultural and religious institutions. About Rs. 11.16 crore has been sanctioned for maintenance of cultural heritage, while rupees one crore annually is being given under the recurring fund scheme for regular worship and infrastructure. For smaller temples, the annual assistance for incense and lighting has been doubled for 2025-26.
The restoration of the historic Bantony Castle in Shimla has been a landmark achievement. Inaugurated in September 2023, it now houses a light-and-sound show and will soon include a digital museum and around Rs. 25 crore have been sanctioned for the project. The complex also promotes local crafts and cuisine through ‘Pahari Aangan’ stalls on the lines of Delhi Haat.
Further efforts include the construction of auditoriums in district headquarters, with five already completed and others underway in Chamba and Nahan. Large-scale grants of Rs. 66.50 lakh (2023-24) and Rs. 1.10 crore (2024-25) have supported national and state-level fairs, while cultural activities of voluntary organizations have been provided Rs. 70.40 lakh (2023-24) and Rs. 58.35 lakh (2024-25).
The government has also marked milestones like the 50 years of Himachal State Museum Shimla in January 2024, which now exhibits 1,500 rare objects across 28 galleries and organized celebrated events such as the Shimla Music Festival 2024 and Him Mahotsav Delhi Haat 2025. Training workshops in Sanskrit and Tankari scripts have further deepened cultural engagement.
These measures are not only preserving heritage but also turning temples and cultural sites into vibrant centers of tradition and modernity. By showcasing Himachal’s folk arts, crafts, music and cuisine at National and International levels, the government is instilling pride among the youth and giving a new identity to the state’s legacy.
With such dedicated efforts the state government is setting a model of how culture and modernization can walk hand in hand strengthening unity, enriching traditions and building a cultural pride that will endure for generations.
