Seniors Attain Spiritual Satisfaction Through Pilgrimage – Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

800 Devotees from Mumbai Division Embark for Ayodhya Under Chief Minister’s Tirtha Darshan Yojana

Mumbai : The ‘Mukhyamantri Tirtha Darshan Yojana’ has been launched to provide senior citizens the opportunity for spiritual and mental fulfillment through pilgrimage. Following the pilgrimages from Kolhapur and Jalgaon, the third train has departed from Mumbai today. A significant number of senior citizens from all districts have expressed their eagerness to participate in this program, which Chief Minister Eknath Shinde believes brings spiritual and mental satisfaction to the elderly.

A total of 800 senior citizens from Mumbai city, Mumbai suburbs, and Thane district embarked on a special train from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) for Ayodhya today. The journey commenced after Mumbai Guardian Minister Deepak Kesarkar flagged off the train in a devotional atmosphere filled with drum beats.

Chief Minister Shinde expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for constructing a grand temple for Lord Shri Ram in Ayodhya. He stated that it is a matter of fortune and joy for these pilgrims to witness Lord Ram during this pilgrimage. Future pilgrimages are also being planned to Shegaon, Pandharpur, Bodh Gaya, and Dikshabhumi in Nagpur. This scheme is being implemented transparently and online, and beneficiaries will have the opportunity to visit 73 pilgrimage sites across India and 66 within Maharashtra.

During the event, Minister Gopichand Desai and Chandrabhaga Varekar were symbolically presented with tickets by Minister Kesarkar. He also interacted with the traveling senior citizens inside the train, wishing them a successful pilgrimage.

Under the scheme, 150 applications were received from Mumbai city, 306 from Mumbai suburbs, and 471 from Thane district for the Ayodhya pilgrimage. In the first phase, 800 senior citizens from these regions have embarked on the journey today. Additionally, 2,505 applications have been submitted from Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts for upcoming pilgrimages to destinations like Nagpur, Ajmer, Mahabodhi Temple in Gaya, Shegaon, and Pandharpur. Vandana Kochure, Regional Deputy Commissioner of Social Welfare for the Mumbai Division, informed that planning is underway for these future trips.

Provisions for water, tea, snacks, meals, and medical support have been arranged for the participating senior citizens. A medical team and other support staff will accompany them to ensure a smooth journey. As the pilgrims headed for Ayodhya, the event featured performers dressed as Ram, Lakshman, Sita, and Hanuman, with traditional dances adding to the festive atmosphere.

Present at the occasion were Konkan Divisional Commissioner Dr. Rajesh Deshmukh, Mumbai Suburban Collector Rajendra Kshirsagar, Mumbai City Collector Sanjay Yadav, IRCTC representative Gaurav Jha, Social Justice Department’s Regional Deputy Commissioner Vandana Kochure, and Assistant Commissioners Prasad Khairnar and Saadhan Ingle.