Dev culture is the specialty of Himachal Pradesh and the people of the state have great faith in Dev Samaj and Gods and Goddesses. The State Government is committed to preserve the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the State. This was stated by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur in his telephonic message from Shimla to a grand program organized on the occasion of consecration of new chariot of Shri Pundarik Rishi at Sarahan village under Banjar assembly constituency of Kullu district today. The Chief Minister was to be personally present in this program, but due to some unavoidable reasons, he could not go there. The Chief Minister said that the people of the area have immense reverence in the deity Pundarik Rishi and he is considered to be the form of Lord Vishnu. He said that according to a legend, the sage was absorbed in penance for a long time near Sarahari Sarovar near village Dogli and Lord Vishnu appeared and invited him to come to Vaikunth Dham and at the same time overwhelmed this place with the name Vaikunth Dham. Jai Ram Thakur said that today the Forest Department’s rest house constructed at a cost of about Rs 47 lakh has also been dedicated at Banogi, Sainj, for which he congratulated all the residents. He said that the construction of this rest house would also give a boost to tourism activities in the area.