Title - Special package for Sikh pilgrims

New Delhi :Sikh pilgrims will have the option of visiting the five Takhts in one go as part of a special package this winter.Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today launched the prestigious ‘Panj Takht Darshan’ project. This is a joint project of Punjab Tourism and the Indian Railways.Badal said the project should be seen in the wider context as Sikhism preached oneness of god. Therefore, everyone, regardless of religion and caste, should visit the holy Takhts to strengthen the bonds of universal brotherhood, peace and harmony. The ‘Panj Takht Darshan’ will start on December 30 from New Delhi and the second on March 17. It will be a six nights and seven days journey by train and air. The IRCTC will be in charge of the Sikh Circuit Special Tourist Train, including off-board and on-board services.Air services will be arranged by Luxury Train Group, a marketing agency. Pilgrims can board the train from New Delhi on December 30 or Amritsar on January 1. The entire cost of the tour to and fro from Delhi would be Rs.1,00,001 per person (1st AC) and Rs 90,000 per person (2nd AC). Likewise, the package would cost Rs 97,500 (1st AC) and Rs 88,050 per person (2nd AC) from Amritsar.The weeklong journey would cover Akal Takht, Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, Panj Sarovar Walk, Attari Border (Amritsar), Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurdwara Jyoti Sarup Sahib, Takht Keshgarh Sahib, Virasat-e-Khalsa Heritage Complex ( Anandpur Sahib), Takht Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo), Takht Patna Sahib, Guru Ka Bagh (Patna), Takht Hazur Sahib (Nanded). The Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board has prepared a 15 years’ tourism master plan for Punjab with the assistance of UN World Tourism Organisation. The CM released a booklet and also launched a booking portal on the occasion.