Odisha launches Jagannath Darshan pilgrimage for senior citizens

The Odisha government has launched the first phase of the ‘Shree Jagannath Darshan Yojana’ for the 2025-26 financial year. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida virtually flagged off the initial pilgrimage, which includes 910 senior citizens from the Malkangiri, Koraput, and Nabarangpur districts traveling to Puri for darshan at the Srikshetra temple.

Implemented jointly by the Tourism Department and the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC), the scheme aims to facilitate visits for 100,000 senior citizens in total. For the current phase, arrangements have been made for 10,434 pilgrims from 13 districts to visit Puri between September 20 and October 26.

The government package provides transportation from gram panchayats to district headquarters and then to Puri via dedicated buses. To ensure safety, each bus is equipped with three escort officers and one paramedical staff member. Additional services include free health check-ups, four vegetarian meals daily, kit bags, identity cards, and cultural programs.