Odisha Government Launches Shri Jagannath Darshan Yojana for Elderly Citizens
The Odisha state government is set to officially roll out the Shri Jagannath Darshan Yojana (SJDY) this Friday, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurating the ambitious welfare scheme from Nabarangpur district. This groundbreaking initiative promises to provide completely free transportation, accommodation, and food facilities for economically disadvantaged elderly citizens from rural villages, enabling them to undertake the sacred pilgrimage to the renowned Jagannath temple in Puri.
First Batch of Beneficiaries and Preparatory Measures
In the inaugural phase, approximately 500 beneficiaries from five different districts will arrive in organized groups on Friday and Saturday. Puri District Collector Dibya Jyoti Parida conducted a comprehensive preparatory meeting with temple authorities on Wednesday to ensure a seamless and comfortable darshan experience for all participants.
"We have meticulously arranged all necessary facilities," stated Collector Parida. "Detailed discussions covered multiple aspects including health check-ups, accommodation arrangements at Brindabati Niwas, provision of Mahaprasad, establishment of help desks, local transportation logistics, visit facilitation, security protocols, parking arrangements, and photographic documentation. Clear instructions have been issued to all concerned officers for proper execution."
Eligibility Criteria and Scheme Objectives
The scheme specifically targets citizens aged between 60 and 75 years, along with widows up to 75 years of age who are already enrolled under existing old-age and widow pension schemes. Tourism officials emphasized that the program aims to fulfill the long-cherished aspiration of economically weaker senior citizens and widows to visit the holy shrine of Lord Jagannath.
"The state government will bear all expenses related to travel, lodging, and food," explained Tourism Secretary Balwant Singh. "This comprehensive scheme ensures that age limitations, geographical distance, or financial constraints do not prevent devoted pilgrims from experiencing the divine darshan of Lord Jagannath." Secretary Singh further confirmed that the tourism department will coordinate extensively with district administrations to guarantee proper implementation of the scheme across the state.
Projected Beneficiary Numbers and Implementation Details
According to official government estimates, the Shri Jagannath Darshan Yojana is projected to benefit approximately 5,000 individuals during the 2025–26 financial year, with numbers expected to increase to 30,000 beneficiaries in 2026–27. By the 2028–29 period, the scheme aims to serve nearly 100,000 elderly citizens across Odisha.
Recently, the tourism department issued directives to all district collectors requiring them to obtain formal consent forms from selected beneficiaries, emphasizing that voluntary consent is mandatory for availing the scheme's facilities. This procedural requirement ensures transparency and voluntary participation in the pilgrimage program.
Existing Pilgrimage Scheme and Historical Context
Currently, Odisha already operates a similar pilgrimage facility for elderly residents under the Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana, which has been functional since 2016–17. This existing scheme enables senior citizens residing in the state to travel to various pilgrimage destinations across India. The program is implemented through collaboration between the state tourism department and the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), providing another layer of pilgrimage support for Odisha's aging population.
The launch of the Shri Jagannath Darshan Yojana represents a significant expansion of the state's commitment to facilitating religious pilgrimage for its elderly citizens, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who have long dreamed of visiting one of India's most revered spiritual destinations.
