Khatima (Uttarakhand) [India], July 25 (ANI): On the occasion of the holy Shravan month, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami offered Jalabhishek to Devadhidev Mahadev at the Bharamal Baba Temple in Jhankaiyya, Khatima, and prayed for the happiness, prosperity, and continuous progress of the state on Thursday.

Along with this, the Chief Minister also distributed prasad to the devotees by serving in the Bhandara organised in the temple premises and also took prasad while sitting in the row.

After this, the CM paid homage to nature and motherhood by planting trees under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign.

Earlier in the day, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, along with his mother, Bishna Devi, cast his vote for the three-tier Panchayat elections at booth number three of a school in Nagla Tarai's village in Khatima.

Voting for the three-tier Panchayat elections in the state is taking place in two phases. The first phase of voting was conducted on July 24, and the second phase will take place on July 28. The counting of the votes will take place on July 31.

As per the notification by the State Election Commission in Uttarakhand, panchayat elections will be conducted in two phases in 12 districts of the state, except for Haridwar.

The notification, signed by Sushil Kumar, Uttarakhand State Election Commissioner, comes after the Nainital High Court permitted the continuation of the panchayat election process on Friday, lifting its earlier stay order issued on June 23.

The CM appealed to the people to vote in large numbers and exercise their right to vote.

In a post on social media X, the CM appealed to the voters to choose capable, aware and dedicated representatives who would strongly raise their voices and strengthen the foundation of rural development.

'Empowered Panchayats, Empowered Uttarakhand. Today, the first phase of voting for the three-tier panchayat elections is taking place. I appeal to all the divine people of the state to reach the polling stations in large numbers and exercise their voting rights. With your vote, choose capable, aware, and dedicated representatives who will strongly raise your voice and strengthen the foundation of rural development. Your single vote is an important step towards a robust Panchayat. (ANI)