Chandigarh, Sept. 17 — The Punjab Government has expanded its flagship Chief Minister Pilgrimage Scheme, earmarking ₹100 crore to help elderly residents visit revered religious sites across the country. Officials said the initiative, launched in November 2023, is aimed at providing free, dignified travel for those who have long desired to undertake pilgrimages but were held back by financial hardship.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s government first introduced the scheme on November 6, 2023, with Cabinet approval for an initial budget of ₹40 crore. The first phase, running from November 27, 2023, to February 29, 2024, saw over 33,800 devotees undertake journeys to Sikh, Hindu, and Muslim shrines. The maiden train departed from Amritsar Railway Station for Shri Hazur Sahib in Nanded on December 27, coinciding with Gurpurab celebrations.
In April 2025, the government broadened eligibility by lowering the minimum age from 60 to 50 years, with a fresh allocation of ₹100 crore. Officials said the goal is to facilitate pilgrimages for nearly 50,000 people under the revised scheme. “This initiative is not just about free travel. It is about honoring the emotions of our elderly and ensuring they can fulfill long-cherished spiritual aspirations,” an official said.
The program extends across faiths, offering trips to multiple destinations: Mata Chintpurni, Mata Vaishno Devi, Jwala Ji, Khatu Shyam, Salasar Dham, Mathura, Varanasi, and Vrindavan for Hindus; Shri Patna Sahib, Anandpur Sahib, Hazur Sahib, and Damdama Sahib for Sikhs; and Jama Masjid and Ajmer Sharif for Muslims.
Train services are arranged for longer routes, including Shri Hazur Sahib, Shri Patna Sahib, Varanasi, Mathura, Vrindavan, and Ajmer Sharif, while AC buses ferry pilgrims to Amritsar Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, Shri Anandpur Sahib, Mata Chintpurni, and other regional shrines. To ensure safety, doctors, volunteers, and officials accompany every journey, while advance teams prepare facilities at destination sites. Seniors above 75 years are permitted to bring one younger family member for assistance.
Pilgrims receive free AC accommodations and meals along the route. Each traveler is also provided with a kit containing a blanket, towel, oil, comb, and sheet. “I never thought I would be able to visit Shri Hazur Sahib in my lifetime. The government has fulfilled my dream,” said Jasveer Kaur, a resident of Sangrur district, after her first pilgrimage under the scheme.
Officials noted that the initiative carries forward the philosophy of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, emphasizing harmony and peace. The government has described it as both a welfare measure and a cultural program, reflecting Punjab’s heritage of faith and sacrifice. “This scheme is a bridge between the state and the people. It respects not only their physical needs but also their spiritual and emotional aspirations,” said a senior functionary.
Community members across the state have described the scheme as a blessing for those who sacrificed their lives for families and society but could not afford pilgrimages. Many elderly participants have returned home with renewed confidence, energy, and stories that inspire neighbors and relatives.
The Mann Government has stressed that the program is about more than travel. It is about fostering social bonds and shared experiences. Pilgrims spend time together, share meals, and exchange stories, often forming new friendships across caste, class, and religious lines. “When they return, it is not just with blessings from sacred places but also with peace in their hearts and trust in the government,” a state spokesperson remarked.
Observers note that the initiative is reshaping welfare in Punjab by recognizing emotional and spiritual well-being as essential parts of governance. By opening the treasury for this purpose, the state has made faith travel accessible to thousands who once considered it unattainable. The scheme, officials said, will continue to operate in phases and expand its reach as demand grows.
