Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that pilgrimages are a great medium to unite society. Such journeys connect the younger generation with their roots, culture, and values. When a devotee visits a pilgrimage site, he or she does not merely return after offering prayers, but comes back with renewed energy, inspiration, and awareness.
The Chief Minister was addressing devotees at a function organized in Sirsa regarding the departure of a special pilgrimage train to Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded (Maharashtra), under the ‘Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yatra Yojana’. On the occasion, Director General of the Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Sh. K.M. Pandurang, presented a memento to Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.
The Chief Minister also handed over rail tickets to five devotees travelling to Sri Nanded Sahib. Later, he flagged off the special train. More than 800 pilgrims from different parts of Haryana are travelling on the train.
He also interacted with the devotees onboard and railway officials accompanying the train. The Chief Minister also participated in the Ardas ceremony before the departure of the train.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that it was his privilege to get the opportunity to flag off the special train carrying devotees from the historic land of Sirsa to Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded. He said that the journey symbolizes devotion, faith, and dedication towards the Guru Sahibs. Offering respectful obeisance to all Guru Sahibs, he prayed for their blessings upon everyone and extended his heartfelt wishes to the devotees for a successful and auspicious journey.
He said that Sirsa holds a revered and respected place in Sikh history and is associated with the Tenth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. In 1706, while travelling southward from Talwandi Sabo, Guru Sahib had also stayed in Sirsa. Gurudwara Shri Chilla Sahib, situated here, still commemorates that sacred visit.
He added that this holy land has been blessed multiple times by the presence of Guru Sahibs. On the other hand, Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded is the sacred place where Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji attained Jyoti Jot. Guru Sahib taught that standing against injustice is true religion and service to humanity is the greatest form of worship.
The Chief Minister said that the special train running today from Sirsa to Nanded symbolizes India’s spiritual stream that connects the entire nation from north to south through the teachings of the Guru Sahibs. Pilgrimages are a powerful means of social unity. Keeping in view the importance of pilgrimage sites, unprecedented work is being undertaken under the able leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi for the preservation and promotion of religious and cultural heritage.
Several important steps have also been taken by the Central Government for preserving Sikh history and heritage. He said that under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, approval has been granted for the development of a heritage circuit including Sri Anandpur Sahib, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, Sri Chamkaur Sahib, Amritsar, Khatkar Kalan, Kalanaur, and Patiala.
Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi had also participated in the state-level programme organized at Jyotisar on the occasion of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji and paid homage to him. He also released commemorative coins, postage stamps, and a coffee table book dedicated to Guru Sahib. Earlier, in 2019, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor from Dera Baba Nanak, fulfilling the long-pending demand of millions of devotees.
Similarly, the Prime Minister made the historic decision to observe the martyrdom day of Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji as ‘Veer Bal Diwas’. He said that every year on December 26, the entire nation observes Veer Bal Diwas with devotion and pride.
It inspires future generations with the values of courage, sacrifice, and commitment to religion. A special air service has also been started from Amritsar to Sri Nanded Sahib to facilitate convenient travel for devotees.
Special train for Somnath Temple also planned under agreement with Railways
Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that under the ‘Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yatra Yojana’, the Haryana Government has entered into a special agreement with the Railway Department for the convenience of devotees. Special arrangements have been made for food, security, and all other necessary facilities to ensure a comfortable and safe journey.
Earlier, on March 28, a special pilgrimage train was sent to Ayodhya Dham, the birthplace of Lord Shri Ram. Today, the second special train has been flagged off for Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded.
Around 800 devotees from 14 districts of the state are participating in this journey. The first train had departed from Kurukshetra on May 5. A special train for Somnath Temple, Gujarat, will be flagged off on June 8.
Government committed to ensuring no devotee is deprived of pilgrimage due to financial hardship
The Chief Minister said that the government is committed to ensuring that no devotee is deprived of pilgrimage due to financial constraints. With this objective, the ‘Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yatra Yojana’ was launched.
Earlier too, under this scheme, devotees were sent to Ayodhya Dham and Prayagraj Kumbh through special buses. The government is also providing financial assistance for various pilgrimages.
Under the Swarn Jayanti Sindhu Darshan Yojana, financial assistance of Rs 10,000 per pilgrim is provided. Under the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Scheme, assistance of Rs 50,000 per pilgrim has been provisioned.
Similarly, under the Swarn Jayanti Guru Darshan Yatra Yojana, devotees travelling to Sri Hazur Sahib Nanded, Sri Nankana Sahib, Sri Hemkund Sahib, and Sri Patna Sahib are provided assistance of Rs 6,000 per pilgrim. He further said that the government had announced the allocation of 70 kanal land to Gurudwara Sri Chilla Sahib, which has now been fulfilled.
In December 2022, the long-pending demand of the Sikh community was fulfilled through the establishment of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, which has provided autonomy to the Sikh community in Haryana in managing their religious affairs.
In addition, state-level programmes were organized on the 550th Prakash Parv of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, and the 350th Prakash Parv of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Several educational institutions, healthcare institutions, roads, squares, and gates in the state have also been named after Guru Sahibs.
President of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, Sardar Jagdish Singh Jhinda, appreciated the government’s efforts. He said that both the Central and State Governments have organized programmes related to the Sikh community from time to time.
Considerable enthusiasm was seen among devotees from Haryana travelling to Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded, under the ‘Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yatra Yojana’. Earlier, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini also visited Gurudwara Chilla Sahib in Sirsa, where he paid obeisance and prayed for the happiness and prosperity of the state.
Former Governor Professor Ganeshi Lal, former MP Smt. Sunita Duggal, former MLA Ramchandra Kamboj, Chairmen Dev Kumar Sharma and Jagdish Chopra, Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee President Sardar Jagdish Singh Jhinda, Baba Baljit Singh Daduwal, Baba Narender Singh, Baba Gurpal Singh and several other dignitaries were present on the occasion.