The Rajasthan government has initiated the process for the Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme 2026, allowing eligible individuals the chance to visit major religious sites at no cost. Applications are currently being accepted until June 10, 2026, and all interested parties must apply online through the designated portal of the Devsthan Department.

Eligibility criteria dictate that applicants must be aged sixty or older as of April 1, 2026. Couples are permitted to apply using a single application form and, if selected, can travel together. Moreover, senior citizens aged seventy and above have the option to bring an attendant, with associated costs covered by the state government.

Once the application period concludes, a lottery system will be utilised to select beneficiaries. A total of fifty-six thousand senior citizens are expected to benefit from this initiative, enhancing the accessibility of religious travel for elderly residents.

Details of the Pilgrimage Scheme

The Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme 2026 will facilitate air travel and AC train journeys to various spiritual destinations across India and Nepal. Specifically, six thousand pilgrims will have the opportunity to fly to the renowned Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, a significant Hindu pilgrimage site. The remaining fifty thousand pilgrims will travel by AC train to various pilgrimage circuits throughout India.

The scheme encompasses travel, accommodation, and meals, with all expenses fully funded by the state government. This initiative was announced in the state budget to foster spiritual travel among senior citizens, providing them with a holistic package that ensures their comfort and safety during their journeys.

The pilgrimage destinations covered by the scheme include prominent locations such as Haridwar, Rishikesh, Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Sarnath, as well as several others across the country, spanning diverse religious and historical significance.

Selection and Journey Logistics

Interested individuals must adhere to the application process outlined by the Devsthan Department. Following the lottery draw, those selected will be granted the opportunity to undertake their pilgrimage completely free of charge. This system aims to ensure fairness in the selection process while efficiently managing the considerable number of applications expected.

Additionally, the scheme will offer various pilgrimage circuits by train, including routes to Mathura, Vrindavan, and the temples of Goa, among others. The inclusion of these diverse sites aims to enrich the spiritual experiences of participants by exposing them to a range of cultural, religious, and historical contexts.

The first journey, titled the Somnath Swabhiman Parv Yatra, is scheduled to commence from Jaipur on June 5, 2026, marking a significant first step in this expansive initiative. The Rajasthan Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme 2026 is poised to be one of the largest efforts by the state to foster spiritual enrichment among its elderly population, removing financial barriers to religious travel.

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