Kejriwal announces Sita temple in Amritsar, new pilgrimage routes, bhajan events

Arvind Kejriwal announced a series of religious initiatives in Punjab, including a grand Mata Sita-Luv Kush temple in Amritsar, three new pilgrimage routes under the Mukh Mantri Teerath Yatra Yojna, and statewide 'Ek Shaam Shivji Ke Naam' devotional events across all 22 cities.

In Short

• Bhajan evenings will now be organised across all 22 Punjab cities
• Patiala's Kali Mata Temple is being redeveloped for ₹80 crore
• Three new teerath routes are set to start around August 1

Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday announced a series of religious and cultural initiatives in Punjab, including the construction of a grand temple dedicated to Mata Sita, Luv and Kush in Amritsar, the expansion of the Mukh Mantri Teerath Yatra Yojna, statewide staging of the play Hamare Ram, and the organisation of the devotional programme Ek Shaam Shivji Ke Naam across all 22 cities of the state.

The announcements came as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor, accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, joined thousands of devotees at the Ek Shaam Bhagwan Shivji Ke Naam bhajan evening in Amritsar. AAP Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia and other senior party leaders were also present on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Kejriwal said the Punjab government had organised Ek Shaam Bhagwan Shivji Ke Naam, featuring devotional singer Hansraj Raghuvanshi, after receiving an overwhelming response to the first edition held in Jalandhar.

"Many people come to me and said that never before has any government organised a 'Bhajan Sandhya' like this. This is the first government to hold bhajan evenings in this manner for the people and to strengthen their devotion. Earlier, such a programme was held in Jalandhar, and today it is being organised in Amritsar," he said.

Announcing the first initiative, Kejriwal said the Ek Shaam Shivji Ke Naam programme would now be organised across all 22 cities of Punjab.

"The series of Ek Shaam Shiv Ji Ke Naam, which began in Jalandhar and has now reached Amritsar, will soon be organised across all 22 cities of Punjab. 'Bhajan Sandhya' will now be held in all 22 cities," he said.

Kejriwal then announced the ongoing redevelopment of Patiala's Kali Mata Temple.

"There is the famous Kali Mata Temple in Patiala. The temple holds immense religious significance. People's wishes are fulfilled there. Kali Mata removes everyone's sorrows, fulfils everyone's prayers, and visiting the temple brings immense peace and solace," he said.

He added that the Punjab government was redeveloping the temple at a cost of 80 crore and expected the work to be completed by September.

"I request all of you to visit the Kali Mata Temple after October. You will truly enjoy it. I have personally seen the architectural model prepared for the temple, and the construction work is progressing at a very fast pace. A magnificent temple is taking shape. I believe that once completed, it will become the largest temple in the whole of North India," Kejriwal said.

Expanding the Mukh Mantri Teerath Yatra Yojna, Kejriwal announced three new pilgrimage routes in addition to the existing services to Darbar Sahib and Anandpur Sahib.

"The Punjab Government runs the Mukh Mantri Teerath Yatra Yojna. At present, the teerath scheme operates on two routes, one to Darbar Sahib and the other to Anandpur Sahib. Now, three more routes are being introduced. One route will cover Salasar and Khatu Shyam Ji, the second will cover Haridwar and Rishikesh, and the third will cover Mathura and Vrindavan. We expect all three routes to begin around August 1, and nearly 1.5 lakh pilgrims will be taken on these journeys," he said.

Kejriwal urged people to participate in the free pilgrimage scheme, saying the Punjab government would bear all expenses, including travel, accommodation, food and darshan.

"You only need to pack four days' worth of clothes in a suitcase. There is no need to carry anything else because the Punjab Government makes all the arrangements. When you travel together, singing kirtans and bhajans throughout the journey, the experience becomes unforgettable. I assure you that many pilgrims who have already returned have told me it was the sweetest and most memorable experience of their lives," he said.

The AAP National Convenor also announced that the theatrical production Hamare Ram would be staged across Punjab from August 1 with free entry for the public.

"From August 1, a theatrical production on Bhagwan Ram will begin across Punjab. The play is called Hamare Ram. It features several conversations between Bhagwan Ram and Ravan and presents many scenes and incidents that perhaps no one has ever told you before. I watched this play in Delhi. Ashutosh Rana is a renowned actor and plays the lead role in it. When I watched it in Delhi, the ticket cost 8,000. But for the people of Punjab, the play will be completely free. You should all go and watch it. It is an excellent production," he said.

Making what he described as his biggest announcement, Kejriwal said a grand temple dedicated to Mata Janaki (Sita), Luv and Kush would be built next to the temple of Bhagwan Valmiki in Amritsar.

Calling Amritsar one of the holiest places for people of every faith, he said the city was home to Sri Darbar Sahib, Durgiana Mandir, Jallianwala Bagh and the Wagah Border. He also said Bhagwan Valmiki wrote the Ramayana while residing in Amritsar, Mata Sita lived there, and Luv and Kush were born and educated there. Kejriwal further said that Luv and Kush had stopped the Ashwamedha Yagna horse released by Bhagwan Ram and tied it to a tree at the same place.

"Today, I announce that a grand temple dedicated to Luv, Kush and Mata Janaki will be built next to the temple of Lord Valmiki. I returned from Ayodhya only yesterday after offering prayers to Ram Lalla at the Shri Ram Mandir. Today, I am extremely happy to make this announcement. This is not just good news for the people of Amritsar but for devotees of Bhagwan Ram and Mata Janaki across the world," he said.

- Ends