Rajasthan Government Enhances Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme with New Destinations
New Additions to the Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme
Jaipur, June 23: The Rajasthan government's Devasthan Department has introduced the Attari-Wagah Border to its Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme for 2025, allowing participants to experience the renowned Retreat Ceremony in Amritsar, Punjab.
Officials highlighted that this initiative aims to immerse senior citizens in a blend of spirituality, Indian heritage, and patriotism. Selected individuals will travel aboard the Rajasthan Vahini Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train, which will include visits to both religious sites and significant national landmarks such as the Attari-Wagah Border.
Attending this traditional military ceremony is expected to evoke feelings of pride and appreciation for the Indian Armed Forces among the elderly participants. This marks the first time the Border and the Golden Temple of Amritsar have been included in the spiritual itinerary.
Devasthan Minister Joraram Kumawat announced that the next Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train, destined for Mata Vaishno Devi, will depart from Udaipur on July 6, making stops in Ajmer and Jaipur before reaching Katra via Amritsar. This journey is designed to blend religious importance with patriotic motivation, reflecting the government's commitment to fostering cultural unity and national pride.
On June 6, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma inaugurated the first AC pilgrimage train from Durgapura Railway Station in Jaipur.
The second train has already departed from Udaipur to Rameswaram, with another AC train scheduled to leave Dungarpur for Rameswaram via Udaipur on June 27, carrying 800 passengers, including 400 from Dungarpur, 376 senior citizens, and 24 support staff, such as instructors and medical personnel.
The upcoming AC train will leave Udaipur for Vaishno Devi Katra on July 6, followed by additional trains from various locations: Ajmer to Rameswaram via Bhilwara on July 14, Jaipur to Rameswaram via Sawai Madhopur on July 23, August 1, and August 20, and Ajmer to Rameswaram again on August 11.
This initiative aims to benefit a total of 6,400 senior citizens. The IRCTC has been notified and is managing the travel logistics. Kumawat confirmed that the Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train is outfitted with modern facilities, including air-conditioned coaches, a fully equipped kitchen car, bio-toilets, and onboard medical staff.
Every passenger will be provided with a confirmed berth, complimentary hotel accommodations, meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), transportation, and arrangements for temple visits at each stop.
New destinations added this year include Rameswaram-Madurai, Jagannath Puri, Tirupati, Dwarkapuri-Somnath, Vaishno Devi-Amritsar, Prayagraj-Varanasi, Mathura-Vrindavan-Barsana, Sammed Shikhar-Pawapuri-Baidyanath, Ujjain-Omkareshwar-Trimbakeshwar, Gangasagar, Kamakhya, Haridwar-Rishikesh-Ayodhya, Bihar Sharif, and Goa. Additionally, a special air route has been planned for visiting the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal.