Panch Teerth Yatra 2025: Punjab BJP flags off 150 devotees from Chandigarh
Synopsis
The Punjab BJP has flagged off 150 devotees on the Panch Teerth Yatra — a government-backed pilgrimage covering all five major sites linked to Dr B.R. Ambedkar, from his Mhow birthplace to Delhi's Mahaparinirvan Sthal. With ₹2,000 crore reportedly spent on these memorials, the initiative signals the BJP's deliberate effort to position Ambedkarite heritage at the centre of its Scheduled Caste outreach.
Key Takeaways
Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon flagged off three buses from Chandigarh on 14 June for the Panch Teerth Yatra .
Approximately 150 devotees are participating in the pilgrimage, which runs until 21 June .
The yatra covers five sites : Mhow, Deekshabhoomi (Nagpur), Chaityabhoomi (Mumbai), Mahaparinirvan Sthal (Delhi), and Virtual Shiksha Bhoomi (Delhi).
The BJP government has reportedly invested approximately ₹2,000 crore in developing and preserving these Dr Ambedkar memorials.
Former IAS officer and BJP SC Morcha Punjab President S.R.
Laddhar is leading the delegation.
Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party President Kewal Singh Dhillon on Sunday, 14 June flagged off three buses from Chandigarh carrying approximately 150 devotees on the Panch Teerth Yatra, a pilgrimage covering five sites closely associated with the life and legacy of Dr B.R. Ambedkar. The yatra, running until 21 June, offers participants a rare opportunity to visit all major memorials linked to Babasaheb in a single organised journey.
Five Sites, One Journey
The pilgrimage circuit spans five historically significant locations tied to Dr Ambedkar's life, struggles, and contributions to social justice. Devotees will visit Mhow in Madhya Pradesh, his birthplace; Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur, where he embraced Buddhism; Chaityabhoomi in Mumbai, his memorial; Mahaparinirvan Sthal in New Delhi, where he passed away; and the newly established Virtual Shiksha Bhoomi, also in Delhi. Together, these sites trace the arc of Ambedkar's extraordinary journey from birth to his enduring intellectual legacy.
Government Investment in Ambedkar Memorials
The BJP government has reportedly invested approximately ₹2,000 crore in the development, preservation, and revitalisation of these five memorials. Officials say the aim is to ensure that future generations continue to draw inspiration from Babasaheb's ideals and his foundational role in shaping the Indian Constitution and the social justice movement.
Who Is Leading the Delegation
S.R. Laddhar, President of the BJP Scheduled Caste Morcha, Punjab, and a former IAS officer, will lead the group of 150 devotees throughout the yatra. Laddhar stated that the primary objective of the pilgrimage is to carry Dr Ambedkar's message to every section of society and to express the nation's gratitude towards him.
Political Significance
Dhillon noted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, all five pilgrimage sites have, for the first time, received special national recognition and honour. The yatra is seen as part of a broader BJP outreach to Scheduled Caste communities — a significant electoral constituency — particularly ahead of upcoming state-level political cycles. Notably, the Panch Teerth Yatra initiative reflects the Centre's sustained focus on elevating Ambedkarite heritage as a pillar of national cultural memory.
What Comes Next
The delegation is scheduled to return by 21 June, having completed the full circuit of all five sites. The BJP Scheduled Caste Morcha is expected to organise further batches of the yatra in coming months, according to party sources.
Point of View
000 crore investment in Ambedkar memorials and its organised outreach to Scheduled Caste communities underscores a long-term strategy to contest the Congress and BSP's traditional claim on Dalit political identity. What is less examined is whether the physical development of these sites has translated into substantive policy gains for SC communities — a question that critics of the government's social justice record continue to raise. The yatra generates visibility; the harder test is whether that visibility converts into durable electoral and social trust.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Panch Teerth Yatra associated with Dr B.R. Ambedkar?
The Panch Teerth Yatra is a government-backed pilgrimage covering five sites linked to Dr B.R. Ambedkar's life: his birthplace in Mhow, Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur, Chaityabhoomi in Mumbai, Mahaparinirvan Sthal in Delhi, and Virtual Shiksha Bhoomi in Delhi. The initiative aims to promote awareness of Ambedkar's legacy and social justice contributions.
Who flagged off the Panch Teerth Yatra from Chandigarh?
Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon flagged off three buses carrying approximately 150 devotees from Chandigarh on 14 June 2025. The delegation is being led by S.R. Laddhar, President of the BJP Scheduled Caste Morcha, Punjab, and a former IAS officer.
How much has the government spent on Ambedkar memorial sites?
According to BJP officials, the government has spent approximately ₹2,000 crore on the development and preservation of the five pilgrimage sites associated with Dr Ambedkar. The investment is aimed at ensuring these sites receive national recognition and inspire future generations.
When will the Panch Teerth Yatra conclude?
The yatra is scheduled to conclude on 21 June 2025, with devotees visiting all five Ambedkar memorial sites across Mhow, Nagpur, Mumbai, and Delhi during the week-long journey.
Why is the BJP organising the Panch Teerth Yatra?
The BJP says the yatra aims to take Dr Ambedkar's message to every section of society and express the nation's gratitude towards him. The initiative is also widely seen as part of the party's broader outreach to Scheduled Caste communities across India.
