Amritsar, October 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Rajya Sabha Member Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, Public Works Minister S. Harbhajan Singh ETO and other prominent dignitaries on Monday released 500 colourful fish fingerlings into the sacred sarovar at Bhagwan Valmiki Ji Tirath Sthal in Amritsar.
The release followed cleaning and other necessary works undertaken by the Punjab Government at the sarovar, which has since been refilled with water.
Speaking on the occasion, Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan said Punjab is the land of sages, seers, Gurus and prophets. He described Shri Valmiki Tirath as a sacred place where Bhagwan Maharishi Valmiki Ji performed penance and imparted education to Luv and Kush. He said the teachings of Bhagwan Valmiki Ji continue to inspire humanity to follow the path of truth.
Sandhwan added that the Punjab Government had undertaken various development works to enhance the beauty of the sacred site and improve facilities for devotees.
Sharing details of the initiative, Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said that around 2,500 fish fingerlings had also been released into the sarovar last week. These included Rohu, Mrigal Carp, Common Carp and Grass Carp. The 500 fingerlings released on Monday included Koi Carp, Red Head and other colourful varieties.
Harbhajan Singh ETO said the Punjab Government is spending approximately ₹17.72 crore on the development and beautification of Bhagwan Valmiki Ji Tirath Sthal. Of this, ₹3.74 crore has been spent on cleaning the sacred sarovar, removing silt, laying clean sand and carrying out related works.
He said works worth approximately ₹2.80 crore are underway, including painting and polishing the main temple, repairing pillars along the pathways and carrying out silicon cutting of sandstone. Another ₹2.42 crore is being spent on repairing stonework in the Sangat Hall and painting the Langar Hall, Sarai and the hall in the Panorama complex.
The minister further said approximately ₹1.74 crore is being spent on providing new furniture, air conditioners and other facilities in the Sarai for the convenience of devotees.
In addition, more than ₹5 crore is being spent on various works, including increasing the capacity of the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), repairing bathrooms, installing new air conditioners and geysers, and setting up a fire safety system.
During the event, Rajya Sabha Member Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal extended greetings to devotees on the Parkash Diwas of Bhagwan Maharishi Valmiki Ji. He said the Punjab Government was organising a state-level function to mark the sacred occasion and had undertaken several works to improve the pilgrimage site’s appearance.
Shri Bal Yogi Pargat Nath, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Bhagwan Valmiki Ji Tirath Sthal Shrine Board, thanked the Punjab Government for the development and service works being carried out at the site. He described the beautification efforts as commendable and said the Parkash Diwas of Bhagwan Shri Valmiki Ji was being celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm, with devotees arriving from India and abroad to pay their respects.
Sonia Mann, Constituency In-charge of Rajasansi, said no effort would be spared to develop the sacred pilgrimage site. She said following the path of love, sacrifice and service to the needy shown by Bhagwan Valmiki Ji would help build a better society. She added that Bhagwan Valmiki Ji’s great work, the Ramayana, would continue to guide humanity towards truth and righteousness.
Among those present were Ajay Dutt, MLA from Ambedkar Nagar, New Delhi; Additional Deputy Commissioner Pallavi Mishra; SDM Lopoke Manbir Singh; Madhur Bhatia, General Manager, Bhagwan Valmiki Ji Tirath Sthal Shrine Board; and Sarabjit Singh Nijjar, Assistant Director, Department of Fisheries, along with other dignitaries.
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