Special trains to Varanasi sought for Guru Ravidass 650th Parkash Purab: Punjab minister
Synopsis
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema has formally reminded the Centre to allot special trains to Varanasi for the 650th Parkash Purab of Guru Ravidass — a milestone being marked with free pilgrimages, Kirtan Samagams in over a dozen districts, drone shows at 92 venues, and village-level documentary screenings across the entire state.
Key Takeaways
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema sent a reminder to the Union government on 9 June seeking special trains to Varanasi for the 650th Parkash Purab of Guru Ravidass .
The Mukh Mantri Teerath Yatra scheme provides free transit for pilgrims from Punjab districts to Varanasi between April and October .
Grand Shobha Yatras on four routes — Varanasi, Faridkot, Bathinda, and Jammu to Khuralgarh — are planned for October–November .
Kirtan Samagams confirmed for Amritsar (13 June) and Sangrur (20 June) , with more across Punjab through October.
Drone shows planned at 92 venues ; documentary screenings sanctioned for all Punjab villages with agency on-boarded from 8 June .
The celebration calendar spans February through December 2026 , overseen by a state Cabinet sub-committee .
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema on Tuesday, 9 June wrote a reminder letter to the Union government requesting the allotment of special trains from Punjab to Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Janam Asthan Mandir in Varanasi, facilitating pilgrims wishing to pay obeisance during the 650th Parkash Purab of Guru Ravidass. The request was made as the Punjab government intensifies its yearlong commemorative programme for the historic milestone.
Background and Context
Cheema chairs the Cabinet sub-committee constituted by the state government to organise the 650th Parkash Purab celebrations. He was presiding over a review meeting to assess the progress of the ongoing events when he issued the reminder to the Centre. The Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs presented a month-wise execution plan covering February through December 2026 at the meeting.
Free Pilgrimage and Transit Arrangements
The Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government is facilitating free transit for devotees under the Mukh Mantri Teerath Yatra scheme, with regular train and bus services being scheduled from various districts to Varanasi between April and October. According to Cheema, the momentum will culminate in grand Shobha Yatras traversing four major routes connecting Varanasi, Faridkot, Bathinda, and Jammu to Khuralgarh during October and November, covering hundreds of kilometres to unite devotees.
Kirtan Samagams Across Punjab
Special Kirtan Samagams are being organised across multiple districts. Following successful congregations in Ropar in April, and samagams in Phagwara on 2 June and Kapurthala on 6 June, the government has confirmed upcoming events in Amritsar on 13 June and Sangrur on 20 June. Further events are scheduled for Mohali, Pathankort, Phillaur, Jalandhar, and Ludhiana through October, under the direct supervision of respective Deputy Commissioners. The celebration calendar formally commenced with the 649th Parkash Purab events at Khuralgarh in early February.
Multimedia Outreach and Technology Push
The state government has approved financial outlays for specialised multimedia exhibitions as part of its public engagement strategy. A drone show is planned across 92 distinct venues. A dedicated budget has also been sanctioned for documentary screenings across all villages in Punjab; the specialised agency was officially on-boarded on 8 June to execute these rural broadcasts.
With the grand Shobha Yatras and district-level samagams still ahead, the Punjab government's 650th Parkash Purab programme is set to intensify through the remainder of 2026.
Point of View
A significant electoral constituency in the Doaba belt. The Mukh Mantri Teerath Yatra scheme and the push for Centre-allotted special trains extend the government's reach into a domain traditionally held by religious organisations. Whether the Centre responds to Cheema's reminder will itself become a political data point. The real measure of the programme's success, however, will be ground-level turnout at the district samagams and the Shobha Yatras — not the number of drone shows sanctioned.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 650th Parkash Purab of Guru Ravidass?
The 650th Parkash Purab marks the 650th birth anniversary of Guru Ravidass , a revered 15th-century saint-poet. The Punjab government is observing it with a yearlong programme from February through December 2026, including pilgrimages, Kirtan Samagams, and cultural events.
Why is Punjab requesting special trains to Varanasi?
Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Janam Asthan Mandir in Varanasi is the birthplace of Guru Ravidass and a key pilgrimage site. Finance Minister Cheema has written to the Union government seeking dedicated train services so that pilgrims from Punjab can travel conveniently to pay obeisance during the 650th Parkash Purab.
What is the Mukh Mantri Teerath Yatra scheme?
The Mukh Mantri Teerath Yatra scheme is a Punjab government initiative that provides free transit — including train and bus services — for pilgrims travelling from various districts to religious sites. Under this scheme, regular services to Varanasi are being scheduled between April and October 2026.
Which districts in Punjab are hosting Kirtan Samagams?
Samagams have already been held in Ropar , Phagwara , and Kapurthala . Upcoming events are confirmed for Amritsar (13 June) and Sangrur (20 June) , with further samagams planned in Mohali , Pathankot , Phillaur , Jalandhar , and Ludhiana through October 2026.
What other activities are part of the 650th Parkash Purab programme?
Beyond pilgrimages and samagams, the Punjab government has approved multimedia exhibitions, drone shows at 92 venues , and documentary screenings in every village across the state. Grand Shobha Yatras on four major routes are planned for October–November, converging at Khuralgarh .
