Jalandhar: Over 1,500 devotees board special train Begumpura Express for Varanasi to celebrate Ravidas Jayanti

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 13

Over 1,500 devotees on Sunday left for Varanasi in a special train — Begumpura Express — from the city railway station ahead of Guru Ravidas birth anniversary on February 16.

As many as 1,700 devotees left for Varanasi, the birth place of the revered guru, for the celebrations. Last year, due to Covid-19 surge, they couldn’t get permission for the special train, but the situation has improved this time and the permission for the special train was taken two months ago. Another special train with over 1,000 devotees will leave from the station on Monday. — Seth Satpal Mal, A Devout follower

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi was expected to arrive at the PAP here and his plan was to walk down to the railway station along with devotees to flag off the train. However, his visit was cancelled due to his hectic campaigning schedule.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Assembly poll, too, was put off from February 14 to 20 because of the occasion.

The railway station reportedly turned into a sea of people as thousands of devotees gathered there to get a glimpse of Dera Sachkhand Ballan head Nirajan Das, who was leading the pilgrimage. The BJP candidate from Jalandhar Central, Manoranjan Kalia and other political leaders were present at the railway station to seek the blessings of the Dera head.

A ‘kirtan’ was performed at the station before the departure of the train. Besides, a special arrangement for langar was made at several places.

Talking to The Tribune, Seth Satpal Mal, a devout follower and an organiser, said as many as 1,700 devotees left for Varanasi, the birth place of the revered guru, for the celebrations. He said last year due to Covid-19 surge, they couldn’t get permission for the special train, but the situation has improved this time and the permission for the special train was taken two months ago.

He informed that another special train with over 1,000 devotees will leave from the station tomorrow.

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