AI Generated Summary
- For elderly pilgrims like Jagan Singh, the scheme represents not just a trip, but the fulfilment of a lifelong wish — a reminder that it is never too late for a sacred journey.
- Among the beneficiaries is 100-year-old Jagan Singh from Karamgarh village in Barnala district, who recently travelled to Amritsar for the first time in his life.
- In their village alone, more than a dozen participants experienced their inaugural darshan through the initiative, highlighting how the programme is reaching individuals who had long postponed such journeys due to cost or logistical challenges.
For many elderly residents of Punjab’s villages, visiting historic places of worship had long remained a distant dream. A recently launched pilgrimage initiative is now turning those dreams into reality, offering free and organised travel to revered religious sites and allowing people from modest backgrounds to experience spiritual journeys they once thought impossible.
Among the beneficiaries is 100-year-old Jagan Singh from Karamgarh village in Barnala district, who recently travelled to Amritsar for the first time in his life. Despite a deep desire to pay obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib, financial limitations had prevented him from making the journey earlier. Speaking after his visit, the centenarian described the experience as deeply moving, saying he felt blessed to finally witness the sacred shrine at this stage of his life.
The pilgrimage group he joined consisted of 43 devotees, many of whom were travelling to Amritsar for the first time. According to tour organisers, special arrangements were made to ensure the elderly could complete their visit comfortably, reflecting the scheme’s focus on accessibility and dignity for senior citizens.
Stories like Jagan Singh’s are becoming increasingly common. Pal Singh, 66, and his wife Amarjit Kaur, 63, from Sekha village, also undertook their first-ever visit to the holy city earlier this month. In their village alone, more than a dozen participants experienced their inaugural darshan through the initiative, highlighting how the programme is reaching individuals who had long postponed such journeys due to cost or logistical challenges.
Groups from neighbouring villages, including Sanghera, have similarly travelled together, creating a sense of community while reinforcing shared cultural and spiritual values. Participants say the organised travel has not only made the process easier but has also strengthened bonds among residents from different backgrounds.
Officials involved in coordinating the programme shared that thousands of devotees from Barnala district have already visited key religious and historical landmarks in Amritsar since late 2025. The itinerary includes prominent sites such as the Golden Temple, Durgiana Temple, Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, Jallianwala Bagh and the Partition Museum, offering travellers a blend of spiritual reflection and historical learning.
A notable aspect of the scheme is its inclusive approach. Open to people of all faiths, castes and income groups, it aims to promote harmony and collective participation. Many participants describe the journeys as more than just pilgrimages — they are opportunities to reconnect with heritage, deepen faith and foster unity across communities.
As more villages take part, the initiative continues to receive praise for bringing meaningful experiences within reach of those who might otherwise never have had the chance to travel. For elderly pilgrims like Jagan Singh, the scheme represents not just a trip, but the fulfilment of a lifelong wish — a reminder that it is never too late for a sacred journey.
