Chandigarh, April 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
In view of the upcoming 650th Parkash Purab of Guru Ravidas Ji, the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has proposed the operation of a dedicated Tirath Yatra from Punjab to Varanasi by train under the CM Tirath Yatra Scheme.
Punjab Culture and Tourism Department Adviser Deepak Bali said that the state has approached the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), Chandigarh, to take up this project on a turnkey basis. The proposal states that 1000–1200 pilgrims from different cities of Punjab will undertake this religious yatra every month.
He said that the yatra will be conducted once a month from a designated location in Punjab, with services planned from April to November. A dedicated train will be arranged with complete facilities, including boarding, lodging, and local transportation at Varanasi, ensuring a comfortable and well-managed pilgrimage for devotees.
The Punjab Government has requested IRCTC to examine the proposal and respond at the earliest so that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) can be signed on mutually agreed terms and the initiative can be implemented without delay.
Bali said that the decision to organise regular yatras to Varanasi holds special significance in light of the 650th Parkash Purab of Guru Ravidas Ji, and reflects the Mann government’s commitment to facilitating religious journeys for the people.
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