Uttarakhand CM Dhami performs pran pratishtha for the Baba Baukh Nag temple near Silkyara tunnel

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami performed the pran pratishtha at the Baba Baukh Nag temple, built near the Silkyara tunnel, in keeping with a promise made when 41 miners were rescued from the tunnel in November 2023.

 

When the rescue was carried out successfully, CM Dhami then said that it had been possible only because of the blessings of Baba Baukh Nag—a local deity.

 

The two-lane, 4.531 km long Silkyara tunnel, built at a cost of about ₹853 crores, is important for the Chardham Yatra as it will reduce by 26km the distance between Gangotri and Yamunotri.

 

When the tunnel collapsed, local belief was that Baba Baukh Nag was upset. A temporary temple was then built and prayers were offered for the successful completion of the rescue mission. The foreign expert Arnold Dix also offered prayers to the deity.

 

The pran pratishtha that took place at noon today was followed by a programme organised at the breakthrough site of the tunnel.

 

For 17 days, 41 workers were trapped in the tunnel.

 

A note issued by the chief minister’s office said that today was not only important from a spiritual point of view, but also marks a new achievement in the development of the state's infrastructure and pilgrimage routes.

 

Baba Baukh Nag is a deity of the mountains, and he is revered as the protector of the area. People from far and wide come to pay obeisance to him. One belief is that if devotees trek without footwear to the temple, all their wishes are fulfilled. The original temple, sited in the forest above the tunnel was removed when construction of the tunnel started. Though it was said that the company would rebuild the temple, it never did so. This, locals say was what angered the deity and led to the disaster.

India