Maharashtra Launches Free Pilgrimage Scheme for Senior Citizens

The Maharashtra government has launched the Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana, offering free pilgrimages for senior citizens over 60 years. This scheme includes 139 religious sites, with 73 across India and 66 within Maharashtra. A Government Resolution (GR) detailing the scheme was issued on Sunday after state Cabinet approval. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced the initiative in the legislative assembly.

Eligible individuals with an annual income of up to Rs 2.5 lakh will receive Rs 30,000 to cover travel, accommodation, and food expenses. Applicants above 75 years can take a spouse or attendant along. Beneficiaries will be chosen by lottery from the applications received. The pilgrimage destinations include prominent sites like Vaishno Devi temple, Amarnath Caves, Golden Temple in Amritsar, Char Dham Yatra, Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Somnath Temple in Dwarka, and Jagannath Puri in Odisha.

Religious Sites Across India

The scheme also covers religious places in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and significant Buddhist and Jain sites. Within Maharashtra, 15 religious locations in Mumbai are part of the scheme. These include Siddhivinayak temple, Chaityabhoomi associated with B.R. Ambedkar, Vipassana pagoda, a synagogue, Mount Mary church in Bandra and St Andrews Church, besides the Jain Temple in Nashik, and Dikshabhoomi in Nagpur.

A 17-member committee led by the social justice minister has been established to monitor and review the scheme at the state level. At the district level, a seven-member panel chaired by the guardian minister includes the assistant commissioner of the social justice department as the member secretary. The commissioner of the social welfare department will act as the nodal officer at the state level.

Implementation and Monitoring

Authorised tourist companies will organise bus journeys while IRCTC or equivalent companies will manage railway journeys for pilgrims. Committees appointed at district levels will select beneficiaries based on district population quotas. "Senior citizens dream of visiting these sites at least once in a lifetime," said Shinde. "However, those from marginalised sections and common families often cannot due to economic restraints."

The Char Dham Yatra for Hindus, Vaishno Devi Yatra and Amarnath Yatra are also important pilgrimages for people of other faiths. Many senior citizens could not achieve their spiritual aspirations due to financial constraints or lack of a co-traveller to assist them. To realise this dream, the state government has initiated this scheme.

This initiative aims to fulfil the spiritual aspirations of senior citizens who have longed to visit these sacred sites but were unable to do so due to financial limitations or lack of assistance during travel. The scheme's comprehensive approach ensures that senior citizens from various economic backgrounds can participate in these pilgrimages without worrying about expenses.

The Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana is a significant step towards supporting senior citizens' spiritual needs by providing them with an opportunity to visit revered religious sites across India and within Maharashtra.