Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced a free pilgrimage scheme, the “Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana”, for senior citizens of all faiths with mobility and financial issues. He told the state assembly on Saturday that his government will launch a comprehensive pilgrimage policy for senior citizens from all religions who cannot afford it.

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Shinde’s comments came in response to Shiv Sena legislator Pratap Sarnaik’s call to action, which stated that many senior citizens are unable to fulfil their pilgrimage dreams due to financial constraints, a lack of companionship, or a lack of information on how to proceed. He urged the government to launch a scheme that covers people of all faiths.

Shinde said the government will encourage pilgrimage for elderly people from all religious affiliations and assist them in fulfilling their spiritual objectives despite personal or financial hurdles. The chief minister said everyone can apply to the scheme online.

The CM added that the government will formulate rules for the Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana to ensure senior citizens from all faiths can participate in the scheme.

Other States And UTs Offering The Scheme

The Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana aims to enable senior citizens to undertake spiritual journeys with ease and comfort. States like Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhandand Karnataka, and Union Territories (UTs), such as Delhi, also provide the free pilgrimage facility to holy sites for senior citizens aged 60 and above. Women get a two-year age relaxation. The government offers one-time assistance for this purpose. The scheme is part of a broader effort to support senior citizens socially, spiritually and financially in their respective home states.

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What The Scheme Provides

Under the scheme, senior citizens receive free travel tickets on special trains and buses destined for pilgrimage sites across India. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) has partnered with the state governments to arrange complimentary breakfast, meals, drinking water, accommodation, and other essential amenities for them at pilgrimage sites.

Scores of people visit the pilgrimage sites in different parts of the country every year. The local administrations usually make special arrangements for their travel and stay, especially during the peak seasons. In light of the difficulties faced by senior citizens, differently-abled people, etc., the state governments provide free pilgrimage schemes to help them financially and logistically with their travel.