CM Mann Lays Foundation for Heritage Walkway in Anandpur Sahib, calls It a Divine Honor

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann set hearts ablaze with pride as he laid the foundation stone for a breathtaking heritage walkway in Anandpur Sahib, a Rs 25 crore project poised to transform the sacred Sikh city into a global beacon of spiritual tourism. Speaking at the ceremony, Mann called it a divine honor to serve the land where Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa Panth on Baisakhi in 1699, igniting a legacy of courage and resistance that still fuels Punjab’s soul. “This isn’t just a walkway—it’s a bridge to our heritage, connecting devotees to the valor of our Gurus,” he declared, vowing to complete the marvel by March 31, 2026.

The 580-metre-long walkway, crafted in gleaming white marble, will wind through the heart of Anandpur Sahib, leading pilgrims to the revered Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, one of Sikhism’s five holiest seats. Split into two poetic segments—one tracing the sacred sarovar (holy pool) and another ascending as steps to the Takht—the path promises both ease and reverence for the millions who flock here annually. Mann painted a vivid picture: “Picture vibrant murals on both sides, narrating the Khalsa’s birth, with shaded trees from the Guru Granth Sahib whispering spiritual wisdom.” A grand main gate, flanked by smaller arches mirroring its architectural grace, will greet visitors, tying together routes to the sarovar and parking zones in seamless aesthetic harmony.

This initiative dovetails with Punjab’s year-long commemoration of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s 350th martyrdom anniversary, honoring the “Hind Di Chadar” who sacrificed his life for religious freedom. Mann tied the project to a broader vision: “Anandpur Sahib will shine as a global hub, drawing not just Sikhs but travelers seeking spiritual solace and history’s embrace.” The state’s tourism board projects a 30% surge in visitors—potentially 1.5 crore annually—bolstering local economies reeling from post-Covid slumps. The walkway’s design, blending eco-conscious elements like native peepal and banyan trees, nods to sustainability, with solar-lit pathways planned to cut energy costs by 15%, per state engineers.

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Mann didn’t stop at bricks and marble. He announced a bold push to connect all five Sikh Takhts—Amritsar, Anandpur Sahib, Patna, Nanded, and Talwandi Sabo—via a dedicated rail corridor, pitching it to the Union government as a “pilgrim’s lifeline” to turbocharge religious tourism. “Imagine a train stitching our sacred sites, easing journeys for devotees while pumping crores into Punjab’s coffers,” he enthused, citing a 2024 tourism study estimating Rs 5,000 crore in revenue from such connectivity. He also teased the imminent launch of the Anandpur Sahib-Mata Naina Devi ropeway, a 3.2-km aerial link that could cut travel time to the hilltop shrine from 90 minutes to 12, potentially drawing 5 lakh extra pilgrims yearly.

The announcement sparked a frenzy on X, with #KhalsaWalkway trending at 80,000 posts, blending devotee selfies with drone shots of the site. Critics, including Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar, grumbled about “AAP’s publicity stunts,” pointing to stalled rural road projects. But Mann’s supporters, waving AAP’s broom symbol, hailed it as a “game-changer for Punjab’s pride.” With 2026 marking the 700th anniversary of Anandpur Sahib’s founding, the walkway’s timing is impeccable—a marble-clad vow to honor Sikh heritage while eyeing global tourism dollars. As Mann put it, “This path isn’t just stone—it’s the heartbeat of our Gurus, guiding us forward.” Will this sacred corridor redefine Punjab’s spiritual skyline? The faithful are already walking toward that future.

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