Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that ‘Bhagwan Valmiki Ji Darshan Yatra’ was symbolic of our age old legacy of propagating love, universal brotherhood, harmony and compassion. The Chief Minister along with his Cabinet colleagues, eminent religious and spritual leaders besides Members of the SGPC and people from different walks of life paid their obeisance and respects to the idol of Bhagwan Valmiki Ji. It may be recalled that the six feet seated gold plated weighing 800 kilograms idol of Bhagwan Valmiki Ji would be installed at Bhagwan Valmiki Sthal (Ram Tirath) at Amritsar on December 1 during a mega state level function being organized on this historic occasion.Addressing the mammoth gathering on the occasion of starting the week long ‘Bhagwan Valmiki Ji Darshan Yatra here today’, the Chief Minister exhorted the people to throng the sacred Bhagwan Valmiki Sthal where this magnificent idol would be installed with full religious fervor, rituals and reverence.
Badal appealed the people belonging to all faiths, communities and religions to offer their prayers on this auspicious occasion, rising above the parochial considerations of caste, color and creed. The Chief Minister said that the idol of Bhagwan Valmiki Ji would be taken to different places across the state in a religious procession (darshan yatra) and would finally reach at Bhagwan Valmiki Sathal at Sri Ram Tirath Temple, Amritsar on November 25. The route of the religious procession has been planned in such a manner that people from all faiths could pay their obeisance and reverence to the 'Karuna Sagar' Bhagwan Valmiki Ji with religious spirit and enthusiasm.The Chief Minister said that the state of art historical monument cum Temple with inbuilt Museum and Panorama at Sri Valmiki Ashram (Ram Tirath) near Amritsar would be a humble tribute by the state government to Bhagwan Valmiki ji, who had preached the message of equality and universal brotherhood on this sacred land.
He said that this unique project, which has come up at a cost of Rs 200 crore, would be instrumental in perpetuating the rich legacy of Bhagwan Valmiki Ji besides showcasing the teachings, life and philosophy of this great Guru. He said that the world class design of this temple cum museum has been conceived and prepared by the architects of Guru Nanak Dev University while keeping in mind the religious sanctity of this historic place. Recalling the superb contribution of Bhagwan Valmiki Ji in the cultural assimilation of society, the Chief Minister said that Bhagwan Valmiki Ji Maharaj was the “Pitaamah” of Sanskrit language and first poet or the Adi Kavi of the world who by his immortal and masterpiece composition the “Ramayana” propagated the message of victory of good over evil. He also said that great epic has from centuries taught the way of life to the people and has been a lighthouse of the ethical and moral living for the people which were far more relevant in the present materialistic society. He urged the people to follow the path and high ideals shown by Bhagwan Valmiki Ji so as to carve out an egalitarian society.The Chief Minister said that our great Gurus, saints, seers and prophets propagated the message of love, peace and harmony besides oneness of God. He said that treading on the same path shown by them; the state government has organized Bhagwan Valmiki Ji Darshan Yatra to invoke the supreme values of humanity, humility and divinity.
Mr. Badal said that the state government has made all out efforts to showcase our rich and glorious past through several state of the art memorials and monuments for our future generations. He said that two such prestigious memorials Bhagwan Valmiki Sthal at Amritsar and Guru Ravidass Memorial (Khuralgarh) at Hoshiarpur would be soon dedicated to the mankind. Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Dr. Charanjeet Singh Atwal, Cabinet Ministers Dr. Daljeet Singh Cheema, Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra and Mr. Sohan Singh Thandal, Lok Sabha MP Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra, MLAs Mrs. Harpreet Kaur Mukhmailpur and Mr. NK Sharma, President SGPC Prof. Kirpal Singh Badungar, Chief of Aadi Dharam Samaj (AADHAS) Mr. Darshan Rattan Raavan, Chairman Dalit Bhalai Board Mr. Vijay Danav, Chairman Punjab State Safai Karamchari Welfare Board Mr. Rajkumar Atikaye, former Deputy Mayor Amritsar Mr. OP Gabbar, Mr. Lakshman Dravid and Mr. Naresh Dhingan. The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Principal Secretary Mr. SK Sandhu, Secretary Tourism and Cultural Affairs Mr. Hussan Lal, his Special Principal Secretary Dr. S Karunaraju, Director Tourism and Cultural Affairs Mr. NPS Randhawa, Inspector General of Police Mr. Paramraj Singh Umranangal, Deputy Inspector Generals of Police Mr. AS Chahal and Mr. NS Dhillon, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Ram Veer and Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. GS Chauhan.