Dhuri (Sangrur), November 12, 2025 — Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday flagged off the first batch of buses carrying devotees to Amritsar under the Chief Minister’s Pilgrimage Scheme, aimed at fulfilling the long-held wishes of elderly citizens to visit sacred sites.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Mann said the initiative coincides with the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. “This journey is dedicated to the memory of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and is a humble effort to strengthen social and religious harmony among Punjabis,” he noted.
The scheme, launched on October 29, 2025, began from village Bardhwal. According to the Chief Minister, participants were selected through a transparent draw, ensuring fairness in the registration process. “We wanted to provide an opportunity for people of all castes, religions, income groups, and regions to visit holy places,” Mann added.
Under the program, devotees aged 50 and above are being taken to religious and historical sites including Sri Harmandir Sahib, Durgiana Temple, Bhagwan Valmiki pilgrimage site, Jallianwala Bagh, and the Partition Museum. The government has arranged free AC bus travel, hotel accommodation for three days and two nights, and meals for all participants.
Each bus will be accompanied by assistants to support passengers and a medical team to respond to emergencies. Mann also mentioned that “after the journey, prasad will be distributed to all devotees.”
The Chief Minister described Punjab as “the sacred land of great Gurus, gods and goddesses, saints-pirs, and martyrs who taught us the values of brotherhood and unity.” He said the pilgrimage scheme follows the teachings of the Guru Sahibs, emphasizing mutual respect, peace, and community harmony.
Mann urged devotees to actively participate in religious gatherings and programs being organized across districts and at Sri Anandpur Sahib in memory of the ninth Guru. “A large section of society could not visit these holy places earlier due to various reasons. Now, the government has opened this opportunity for all,” he said.
