Gujarat’s Pilgrimage Schemes Empowering Over 1.42 Lakh Devotees

Ahmedabad - In an effort to support and facilitate spiritual journeys for its citizens, the state government of Gujarat has implemented various pilgrimage schemes benefiting more than 1.42 lakh devotees in the past seven years. These initiatives are aimed at enabling devotees, particularly senior citizens, to visit their desired pilgrimage sites with ease and at subsidized costs.

R. R. Raval, Secretary of the Gujarat Pavitra Yatradham Vikas Board (GPYVB), highlighted the board's commitment to operating multiple schemes that allow devotees to reach their places of worship. The most popular of these is the **Shravan Tirtha Darshan Yojana**, which has served as a key facilitator for senior citizens wishing to embark on pilgrimages. This scheme symbolizes the state government’s role in supporting senior citizens’ spiritual needs, reminiscent of the devotion shown by Shravan Kumar in Hindu mythology.

Since its inception on May 1, 2017, coinciding with Gujarat Foundation Day, the Shravan Tirtha Darshan Yojana has facilitated pilgrimage for over 1.38 lakh devotees through 2,850 buses, with the state government providing financial assistance totaling Rs 10.25 crore. Under this scheme, senior citizens aged 60 and above receive 75% of the bus travel expenses on State Transport (ST) Corporation’s super non-AC bus, mini non-AC bus, or sleeper coach covered by the government. Additionally, each passenger is granted a maximum of Rs 300 for food and accommodation, with Rs 50 allocated for a day’s meals and Rs 50 for lodging.

In addition to the Shravan Tirtha Darshan Yojana, GPYVB also runs other noteworthy schemes such as the **Kailash Mansarovar Yojana** and the **Sindhu Darshan Yojana**. The Kailash Mansarovar Yojana has benefited 2,564 devotees, with the state government providing assistance amounting to Rs 581.49 lakh. In a move to further encourage this pilgrimage, the government, under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, increased the assistance amount from Rs 23,000 to Rs 50,000 per pilgrim last year.

The Sindhu Darshan Yojana, initiated in 2017, has supported 1,654 beneficiaries with an aid of Rs 2.63 crore. This scheme is specifically tailored for the Sindhi community residing in Gujarat, facilitating their participation in the annual Sindhu Darshan festival in Leh-Ladakh. The festival, held on Guru Purnima, sees a large turnout of the Sindhi community, who take a holy dip in the Indus River (Sindhu) to experience spiritual purity. The scheme provides Rs 15,000 per beneficiary for up to 300 pilgrims, with beneficiaries selected through a draw if applications exceed this number.

Through these comprehensive pilgrimage schemes, the Gujarat government continues to foster a sense of community and spiritual well-being among its citizens, ensuring that the state’s rich cultural and religious heritage is celebrated and preserved.