For decades, the women of Pandi village in Uttar Pradesh’s Chandauli district had only heard stories about Varanasi and the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Most had never stepped outside their village. This week, that dream finally came true.
Under the UP Police’s Mission Shakti campaign, 40 women from the remote village travelled to Varanasi along with their families. The journey gave them a chance to visit one of India’s holiest temples and experience city life for the first time.
The trip began after senior police officers visited Pandi during a community outreach programme. While interacting with villagers, the officers asked the women about their biggest wish. Almost everyone expressed the same dream, to visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. The police decided to make it happen.
A Village Cut Off from the Outside World
Pandi lies in the Naugarh block of Chandauli district, close to the UP-Bihar border. Dense forests surround the village, making travel difficult. Around 80 families live there, and most depend on farming, daily wage work and forest produce to survive.
Many families struggle to meet even basic needs. Because of poor transport and limited income, several villagers have never travelled beyond their village. Mobile phone networks also remain weak, keeping the area disconnected from the outside world.
For many women, this was not just their first visit to Varanasi. It was their first visit to any city.
A Journey Filled with Faith and Happiness
The group left Pandi in a bus arranged by the UP Police. Many women travelled with their children, while five men from the village also joined the pilgrimage. A police team accompanied them throughout the journey and ensured their safety. The police also arranged meals and other necessary facilities.
The pilgrims reached the Kashi Vishwanath Temple on Monday (June 29) morning and offered prayers with great devotion. Many became emotional as they fulfilled a dream they had carried for years.
Beena Kumari, who travelled with her four-year-old child, said she had always wished to visit the temple after hearing stories from her parents and grandparents. She thanked the police for turning that dream into reality.
The group also visited the Sankat Mochan Temple and Durga Temple. To make the experience even more memorable, the visitors spent time at a shopping mall in Varanasi and got a glimpse of modern city life.
Police Build Trust Through Community Outreach
Several villagers said they never imagined they would one day visit Varanasi. They described the trip as a life-changing experience that showed them a world beyond their forests.
Residents said they were impressed by the city’s development and modern facilities. Many felt the visit gave them new confidence and hope for the future.
Varanasi Range Deputy Inspector General Vaibhav Krishna said the pilgrimage became possible after villagers shared their wish during his recent visit to Pandi. The UP Police organised the trip under Mission Shakti to strengthen community ties and give the villagers an opportunity they had never received before.
The initiative reflects how community policing can go beyond maintaining law and order. By listening to people’s aspirations and responding with compassion, the UP Police helped transform a simple wish into a memorable journey that the families of Pandi village will cherish for years.
