Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema has requested the Union government to provide special trains from Punjab to the Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Janam Asthan Mandir in Varanasi for pilgrims. Cheema, leading a review meeting for the state’s 650th Parkash Purab celebrations, highlighted the Punjab government’s efforts in facilitating free transit under the Mukh Mantri Teerath Yatra scheme, including train and bus services to Varanasi from various districts.
The ongoing celebrations will feature grand Shobha Yatras connecting Varanasi, Faridkot, Bathinda, and Jammu to Khuralgarh, uniting devotees over hundreds of kilometers. The Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs presented a detailed execution plan from February to December 2026 during the meeting, outlining a diverse range of events and initiatives.
Special Kirtan Samagam events are being organized in various districts of Punjab, following successful congregations in Ropar, Phagwara, and Kapurthala. Future events are scheduled in Amritsar, Sangrur, Mohali, Pathankot, Phillaur, Jalandhar, and Ludhiana, with a focus on public engagement and technological integration. The state government has allocated funds for multimedia exhibitions and a drone show across 92 locations, along with documentary screenings in all Punjab villages.
