{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Punjab's Free Pilgrimage Scheme Gets Three New Routes, Kejriwal Extends Congratulations",
  "summary": "Punjab government's free pilgrimage scheme has added three new routes, Haridwar-Rishikesh, Mathura-Vrindavan and Salasar-Khatu Shyam, according to a social media post by Arvind Kejriwal.",
  "content": "Three new pilgrimage routes have been added to Punjab government's free tirth yatra scheme from today, according to a social media post shared by Arvind Kejriwal, who congratulated everyone on the addition.\n\nThe new routes added\nAs per Kejriwal's post, the Punjab government's pilgrimage scheme now includes three new routes, Haridwar-Rishikesh, Mathura-Vrindavan and Salasar-Khatu Shyam. This means devotees under the scheme can now travel to Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mathura and Vrindavan, as well as Salasar Dham and Khatu Shyam ji. The scheme already covered several pilgrimage sites earlier, but these three routes give devotees more options than before.\n\nWhat is the free pilgrimage scheme\nPunjab's Bhagwant Mann government has been running a free tirth yatra scheme for elderly citizens for some time, under which pilgrims travel in AC buses at no cost. According to reports, the state government also bears the cost of food and stay for elderly pilgrims during these trips. The scheme's coverage has been expanded from time to time, with new religious destinations added along the way. As part of this latest expansion, a \"Shiv Night\" event is also reported to be organised in every district. Earlier, a batch of pilgrims had also left from Gurdaspur on a three-day trip covering five religious sites, including Anandpur Sahib. This shows the scheme is not limited to announcements alone but is actively running on the ground.\n\nAbout Haridwar\nHaridwar is a sacred town in Uttarakhand's Haridwar district and one of the major pilgrimage centres of Sanatan Dharma. It is regarded as one of the seven holy sites for Hindus. The Ganga river, after travelling around 253 kilometres from its source at Gaumukh at a height of 314 metres, enters the plains for the first time at Haridwar, which is why the town is also called \"Gangadwar\". The word Haridwar itself means \"the gateway to Hari, or God\". This is why millions of devotees visit the town every year.\n\nA separate pilgrimage initiative in the news\nApart from the state government's scheme, the BJP has also been running its own programme called \"Panch Tirth Yatra\" in Punjab, seen as an effort to reach out to the state's roughly 32 percent Dalit voters. The Punjab BJP chief had flagged off buses carrying pilgrims for this yatra. This initiative is entirely separate from the state government's free pilgrimage scheme and the two should not be confused.\n\nWhat Kejriwal wrote\nIn his post, Arvind Kejriwal wrote, \"Three new pilgrimage routes are starting today under the Punjab government, Haridwar-Rishikesh, Mathura-Vrindavan and Salasar-Khatu Shyam. Congratulations to everyone.\" He also shared a live link along with the post.\n\nPublic reaction\nReactions to the post were mixed. While some users congratulated the government on the scheme, several others raised questions about other issues in Punjab and sought answers from the government on those as well.\n\nWhat this means for you\n• Across India: Free pilgrimage schemes like this one make religious travel easier for elderly and economically weaker devotees, and could serve as a model for other states.\n• In Punjab: Elderly pilgrims in the state can now travel free by AC bus to Haridwar-Rishikesh, Mathura-Vrindavan and Salasar-Khatu Shyam ji, with the government also covering their food and stay costs.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Which new routes have been added to Punjab's pilgrimage scheme?\nThree new routes have been added: Haridwar-Rishikesh, Mathura-Vrindavan and Salasar-Khatu Shyam.\n\n2. Who shared this information?\nArvind Kejriwal shared the information in a post on social media.\n\n3. What facilities do pilgrims get under this scheme?\nPilgrims can travel free of cost in AC buses, and the government also covers their food and stay expenses.\n\n4. Has this scheme been expanded before?\nYes, new religious destinations have been added to the scheme from time to time.\n\n5. Why is Haridwar also called Gangadwar?\nBecause the Ganga river, after travelling from its source, enters the plains for the first time at Haridwar.\n\n6. Is the BJP's Panch Tirth Yatra part of this government scheme?\nNo, it is a separate programme run by the BJP that is different from the state government's scheme.\n\nLeader Profile: Arvind Kejriwal\n• Role: National Convener, Aam Aadmi Party\n• Born: 16 August 1968, Siwani, Haryana\n• Party: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)\n• Education: BTech, IIT Kharagpur\n\nFounder and National Convener of the Aam Aadmi Party and former Chief Minister of Delhi. A former IRS officer, he won the Magsaysay Award for anti-corruption activism.\n\nPolitical Career & Achievements\n• Indian Revenue Service officer (joined 1995)\n• Ramon Magsaysay Award for activism (2006)\n• Founded the Aam Aadmi Party (2012)\n• Chief Minister of Delhi (2013–14, 2015–2024)\n• Launched Mohalla Clinics and free utility schemes\n\nQuick Facts\n• An IIT graduate and former tax officer turned anti-corruption activist.\n• Volunteered with the Missionaries of Charity early in his career.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/neta-ji/punjab-ki-muphta-tirtha-yatra-yojana-men-tina-nae-ruta-jure-kejarivala-ne-di-badhai-15911",
  "category": "Leaders Speak",
  "publishedAt": "2026-08-12",
  "tags": [
    "ArvindKejriwal"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}