Dehradun, Dec. 25 -- Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday called for turning winter tourism into a mass movement, asserting that it forms a strong foundation for a self-reliant and prosperous Uttarakhand. He was speaking at the Kedarkantha Tourism and Pilgrimage Winter Festival held in Sankri village, Uttarkashi district. Arriving at the emerging tourism hub of Sankri, Dhami was accorded a traditional welcome by local residents. Dressed in customary woollen attire, he flagged off a group of tourists en route to Kedarkantha peak, formally inaugurating the festival. The chief minister also interacted with villagers and tourists, and visited stalls set up by various government departments. Describing Sankri as more than just a village, Dhami said it was a "living museum" of Uttarakhand's folk culture. On his first visit to the area, he thanked local residents for their warmth and enthusiasm, noting that the traditional architecture, folk traditions and simple mountain lifestyle reflect the state's distinct identity. "This festival celebrates Uttarakhand's faith, culture, tradition and self-respect, and reflects the spirit of development with heritage," he said. Dhami said that following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to promote winter travel, destinations such as Kedarkantha, Harsil, Auli, Munsiyari and Sankri had witnessed unprecedented enthusiasm for winter tourism....