JAIPUR: The Rajasthan government is once again gearing up to offer the state’s senior citizens free visits to major religious destinations across the country. The online application process under the ‘Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme 2026-27’ will soon be launched by the Devasthan Department. For this purpose, the official departmental portal will be opened next week for a window of 15 days.
During a high-level review meeting held at the Government Secretariat on Wednesday, Devasthan Minister Shri Joram Kumaawat issued strict guidelines to officials to ensure smooth execution of the scheme.
56,000 Senior Citizens to Benefit This Year
In line with the budget announcements made by Chief Minister Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma, the scope of the scheme has been expanded this year. During 2026-27, a total of 56,000 senior citizens will be taken on free pilgrimages. Out of these:
- 50,000 Pilgrims: Will travel via special trains.
- 6,000 Pilgrims: Will be provided the benefit of air travel.
“Somnath Swabhimaan Parva Yatra” Special Train to Depart on June 5
The meeting also thoroughly reviewed the preparations for the special religious tourist train starting from June 5, 2026. Operating under the “Somnath Swabhimaan Parva Yatra,” this train will depart from Jaipur’s Durgapura Railway Station at around 3:00 PM.
Complete Travel Schedule and Route (June 5 to 10)
- Route and Boarding: Departing from Jaipur, the special train will halt for about 20 minutes each at Ajmer and Abu Road stations, allowing senior citizens from other districts to board.
- June 6 (Arrival in Somnath): The train will reach Somnath at around 11:30 AM. Passengers will be accommodated in hotels, and local sightseeing of religious places will begin after some rest.
- June 7 (Departure for Dwarka): After the remaining sightseeing at Somnath and Nageshwar, the train will leave for Dwarka at around 11:30 PM.
- June 8 & 9 (Dwarka Dhish Darshan): Upon reaching Dwarka around 6:00 AM on June 8, passengers will be transferred to hotels. After resting, they will visit the historic Dwarkadhish Temple and other local shrines. Following a full day of sightseeing on June 9, the return journey to Jaipur will commence at 6:00 PM.
- June 10 (Return to Jaipur): The train will arrive back at Jaipur at around 4:00 PM. Provision for passengers to deboard at Abu Road and Ajmer stations has also been made during the return journey.
World-Class Safety and Comfort Arrangements
Devasthan Minister Shri Joraram Kumaawat emphasized that no negligence regarding the safety, catering, and medical care of the elderly during the journey would be tolerated.
“Our senior citizens must feel a homely environment and receive utmost respect throughout the journey. Devasthan Department and IRCTC officials must work in seamless coordination.” — Shri Joraram Kumaawat, Devasthan Minister
Special Facilities On Board:
- Comfortable Coaches: The train will consist of 14 Air-Conditioned (AC) coaches, 2 power cars, and 1 pantry car.
- All-Inclusive Free Package: Catering, hotel stays, local transport, and temple entry arrangements will be fully managed and funded by the Devasthan Department.
- Medical Team: To handle any medical emergencies, one doctor and two nursing staff members will be deployed on the train.
- Support Staff: One train in-charge and two instructors (guides) per coach will be present to assist the elderly passengers.
Other Key Decisions
During the review meeting, the Minister also directed officials to accelerate the renovation of heritage temples across the state, fast-track the Sindhu Darshan Scheme, execute the department’s cadre review, and speed up new recruitment processes. Furthermore, instructions were given to expedite trust registration work and ensure swift resolution of pending court cases.
The meeting was attended virtually by Shuchi Tyagi (Secretary, Devasthan Department), Gitesh Malviya (Additional Commissioner), along with assistant commissioners from across the state.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. For official rules, eligibility criteria, and precise guidelines regarding the ‘Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme 2026-27’, please refer to the official portal or notifications issued by the Devasthan Department, Government of Rajasthan.
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