AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat government's dedication to spiritual tourism is reflected in the commendable success of its pilgrimage schemes, with over 1.36 lakh pilgrims having benefited. Notably, under the "Shravan Teerth Yojana", initiated in 2017, a staggering 1,32,928 senior citizen devotees have embarked on pilgrimages. The government has provided a generous support of Rs 757 lakhs towards this initiative alone.
In total, for all the pilgrimage schemes, the government has sanctioned aid amounting to Rs 14.64 crores, catering to the spiritual needs of the state's residents.
Among the prominent pilgrimage support initiatives, the "Sindhu Darshan Yojana", launched in 2017, stands out. Designed to support the Sindhu Darshan festival held annually in Leh-Ladakh during the Guru Purnima, the scheme has resonated with the Sindhi community. Participants immerse themselves in the serene experience of the Indus River, with the state ensuring financial support. Till June 2023, 846 devotees benefited from this scheme, with the government's contribution amounting to Rs 126.9 lakhs. The program is structured to support 300 beneficiaries annually, each receiving Rs 15,000. Should applications exceed this number, a draw system is employed to select the fortunate participants.
Another noteworthy scheme is the "Kailash Man Sarovar Yojana", in existence since 2001, which has aided 2,561 devotees in their spiritual journey. The state has allocated Rs 581 lakhs to ensure the success of this pilgrimage.
The Gujarat Holy Yatradham Development Board spearheads these initiatives, continuously expanding and refining the schemes to enhance the pilgrimage experience for the state's residents.
