Traveling from one place to another, one country to another, has always excited me. I have never missed an opportunity to go on a tour, whether for a weekend or a month-long journey, throughout my 45 years of life. But what about those journeys and destinations that you don’t necessarily wish to visit, but circumstances lead you there? Some trips feel like life’s way of bringing us back to our roots.
Hello everyone, my name is Gurbachan Sandhu from California, USA. I am a businessman, well-settled here with my family—two loving kids, my wife, and my elderly parents. I migrated to the USA 20 years ago with my family from Punjab, India. My younger siblings are settled in Melbourne, Australia, but my father, Hardeep Sandhu, who came to the USA at the age of 55, always stayed deeply connected to Punjab, constantly sharing stories of his hometown.
When my father became ill and was hospitalized, the doctors did all they could, but he ultimately could not recover. Early one morning, we received the painful call from the hospital that my father had passed away. Managing the situation was incredibly difficult for our family. I remembered that my father’s last wish had been for his ashes to be taken back to Punjab, specifically to Kiratpur Sahib, for the final rites.
Kiratpur, also known as Kiratpur Sahib, is a town in Rupnagar district, Punjab, known for Gurdwara Patalpuri, where many Sikhs bring the ashes of their loved ones. Situated on the banks of the Sutlej River, it is about 10 km south of Anandpur and 90 km from Chandigarh. Fulfilling my father’s final wish became my focus, and I knew that this journey would be both a commitment to his legacy and a journey back to our roots.
The arrangements were made, and soon I was on a flight from California to Delhi with my father’s ashes, reflecting on the memories and stories he had shared of Punjab. After landing in Delhi, I had already booked a taxi service with ChaloPind.com, which offered a multi-city drop so that we could travel from Delhi to Kiratpur Sahib while making stops along the way to reconnect with family and friends.
The road journey booked through ChaloPind.com from Delhi to Punjab was not only about reaching Kiratpur Sahib; it was a bridge to the past, reminding me of my heritage and evoking feelings of nostalgia. Our driver, arranged through ChaloPind.com, was incredibly respectful and understanding of the purpose of our journey, creating a comforting environment throughout.
As we passed through towns and villages, I could feel the essence of Punjab—the vibrant fields, the colors, the warmth of the people. My children, who had only ever heard of Punjab in stories, finally had a chance to experience their heritage firsthand.
At last, we reached Kiratpur Sahib. The Gurdwara Patalpuri stood peacefully on the banks of the Sutlej, and my father’s ashes were respectfully immersed, fulfilling his last wish. The calmness of the river, the hymns at the Gurdwara, and the comforting prayers brought us a sense of peace and closure. Though he had left us, I knew that a part of him would forever remain in Punjab, at Kiratpur Sahib, where his heart had always belonged.
This journey, made possible with the reliable services of ChaloPind.com, was more than just honoring a final request. It was a return to my roots, a deep spiritual experience, and a moment to cherish family bonds. I am grateful that we could fulfill my father’s last wish and that ChaloPind.com made this journey so meaningful and smooth for us. This road trip will forever be etched in my heart as a pilgrimage of love, respect, and remembrance.
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