Over 1,600 devotees board special train to Varanasi

Ajay Joshi

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 6

Over 1,600 devotees today left for Varanasi in a special train, Guru Ravidas Express, from the local railway station ahead of Guru Ravidas’ birth anniversary.

Devotees from around the region are going to Varanasi to pay obeisance at Shri Guru Ravidas Janam Asthan Mandir at Seer Goverdhanpur in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Ahead of the departure of the train, the pilgrims, who had arrived here from various places, including abroad, had turned the city railway station into a sea of devotees as people in a large number reached the place to get a glimpse of the Dera Sachkhand Ballan head, who was leading the pilgrimage.

Several devotees were seen dancing at the railway station on the occasion. Besides, special arrangement for food (langar) was made at various places. Special police teams were also deployed to check any untoward incident.

Vikas Jaitley, a railway official, said the entire train was assembled last night after around 20 coaches were specially brought here from Chandigarh.

“After seeing the large number of devotees, two more coaches brought to the city from Amritsar. The train with 20 sleeper class and two general class coaches left the station at 2.30 pm today,” Jaitley said.

Besides, thousands of devotees have already left for the pilgrimage in other trains.

Raj Kumar, one of the devotees, said the foundation stone of the temple was laid in 1960s.

“It is believed that Guru Ravidas used to live in the temple and perform bhakti there. Guru’s followers also stayed there. Hence, the place is a pilgrimage for devotees across the country and other countries,” he added.

He said the birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas was celebrated every year and the temple attracts thousands of devotees on the occasion.

Another devotee said devotees used to go separately to be a part of the celebrations.

However, now a special train had been started so that more devotees could visit the temple.

Around, 100 men were present on the train who had volunteered to give community service to the devotees.