Chandigarh, February 13 A Punjab Cabinet sub-committee, chaired by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, held a meeting on Friday to finalize the year-long roadmap for commemorating the 650th 'Parkash Purb' of Guru Ravidas.
The Punjab government has resolved to elevate the celebrations to a global scale and to carry the Guru's message of equality, humanity, and devotion to every corner of the state and beyond, according to an official statement.
On February 4, the Punjab government launched year-long, state-wide celebrations to mark the 649th Parkash Purab (birth anniversary) of Guru Ravidas, with a three-day event beginning at Sri Khuralgarh Sahib in Hoshiarpur.
Cheema had then said that the government has started preparations for the historic 650th Parkash Purab of Guru Ravidas in 2027.
At Friday's meeting, Cheema held discussions with state ministers Ravjot Singh and Tarunpreet Singh Sond, advisor to the tourism department Deepak Bali, and special invitee Pawan Tinu on the month-wise organization of programs, the statement said.
"Our goal is to celebrate this historic occasion on a scale that reflects the profound impact of Guru Ravidas' teachings on society. We are committed to ensuring that every citizen, especially our youth, connects with the message of 'Begampura' – a society free from sorrow and discrimination," Cheema said.
The committee decided to organize four major Shobha Yatras originating from Varanasi, Faridkot, Jammu, and Bathinda, which will converge at Sri Khuralgarh Sahib, regarded as the 'tap asthan' of Guru Ravidas.
It was also decided to facilitate a pilgrimage for pilgrims from different parts of Punjab to Seer Govardhanpur, the birthplace of the 15th-century Bhakti poet-saint and social reformer, located near Varanasi.
The panel also approved seminars on the life and teachings of Guru Ravidass in schools, colleges, and universities across the state.
The roadmap includes innovative outreach through drone shows in every district and the screening of documentary films in villages, the statement said.
The meeting also discussed the launch of a plantation drive involving 6.5 lakh saplings per district.
Statewide blood donation camps, marathons, cycle rallies, and grand kirtan 'samagams' will also be organized as part of the year-long commemorations, the statement said.