Chandigarh, April 28 Fact Recorder
Punjab Desk: Punjab Revenue Minister S. Hardeep Singh Mundian on Tuesday said that more than 1.32 lakh pilgrims have so far visited various sacred shrines under two phases of the Mukh Mantri Teerth Yatra Yojana, a flagship initiative of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government aimed at facilitating free pilgrimage for citizens and fulfilling their dreams of visiting religious places in their lives.
Sharing district-wise progress of the currently running second phase, the Cabinet Minister said that till April 27, 2026, Bathinda cluster recorded 1,179 trips benefiting 46,030 pilgrims, Mohali accounted for 533 trips with 21,104 pilgrims, Ludhiana saw 596 trips covering 23,747 pilgrims, while Amritsar cluster registered 154 trips benefiting 6,160 pilgrims. In total, 2,462 trips have been conducted, facilitating pilgrimage for 97,041 devotees across these clusters.
He further informed that during the first phase, which was dedicated to the 550th birth anniversary of First Guru, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and was launched on 27th November 2023, around 35,500 pilgrims were taken free of cost to major religious places including Sri Hazur Sahib (Nanded), Sri Patna Sahib (Bihar), Varanasi Temple, Mathura and Sri Vrindavan Dham (Uttar Pradesh), Ajmer Sharif Dargah (Rajasthan), Sri Anandpur Sahib, Sri Amritsar Sahib, Sri Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo), Sri Salasar Dham, Sri Khatu Shyam Ji, Mata Chintpurni Ji, Mata Jwala Ji, Mata Naina Devi Ji and Mata Vaishno Devi Ji.
- Hardeep Singh Mundian said that the second phase of the scheme was launched in October 2025 in dedication to the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. He added that the scheme is open to people of all castes, religions and regions, with eligibility for devotees aged 50 years and above. Under the second phase, pilgrims are being taken to prominent religious and heritage sites including Sri Harmandir Sahib, Sri Durgiana Temple, Bhagwan Sri Valmiki Tirath Sthal, Jallianwala Bagh, Partition Museum and several other sacred destinations.
Highlighting the facilities, the Cabinet Minister said that under both phases of the scheme, pilgrims were provided free travel and accommodation, meals, medical assistance and essential kits, with the entire expenditure borne by the State Government.
