Deputy CM Pravati Parida flags off the first batch of senior citizens under the Shree Jagannath Darshan Yojana, enabling elderly pilgrims to visit Puri
OdishaPlus Bureau
Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Sunday virtually flagged off the first pilgrimage of 910 senior citizens from Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur districts to the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri under the state government’s ‘Shree Jagannath Darshan Yojana’ for 2025-26.
The first batch comprises 490 senior citizens from Malkangiri, 210 from Koraput and 210 from Nabarangpur. The pilgrims will travel to Puri to have darshan of Lord Jagannath and the Holy Trinity.
Addressing the gathering, Parida said facilitating the spiritual aspiration of every Odia to visit Srikhetra and have darshan of Lord Jagannath was among the government’s priorities.
“The initiative has created an opportunity for senior citizens from across the state to visit Srikhetra and seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath,” she said.
In the first phase, arrangements have been made for 10,434 elderly pilgrims from 13 districts to visit Puri between September 20 and October 26, 2026.
Under the scheme, pilgrims are transported from their respective gram panchayats to district headquarters and then to Puri in dedicated buses operated by the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC).
Each bus will have three escort officers and one paramedical staff member to ensure the safety and well-being of the elderly pilgrims. The team will accompany them throughout the journey and monitor their health and other requirements.
The pilgrimage package includes free health check-ups, four vegetarian meals a day, kit bags, identity cards and cultural programmes, besides arrangements for darshan at Srimandir.
The scheme aims to facilitate darshan of the Holy Trinity for one lakh senior citizens. During the current year, around 30,000 eligible beneficiaries are expected to avail themselves of the pilgrimage opportunity.
The state government is providing free air-conditioned deluxe bus transportation for eligible senior citizens and economically weaker sections. The initiative is being implemented jointly by the Tourism Department and OSRTC.