CM Sai launches Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana

Raipur, March 27

Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai today flagged off the first special pilgrimage train to Tirupati, Madurai, and Rameswaram from Raipur Railway Station. A total of 780 elderly pilgrims from Raipur and Balodabazar-Bhatapara districts are part of this journey, which is not just a religious experience for them, but also a symbol of respect and affection. The long-cherished wish of the elderly in the state was fulfilled today when Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai officially launched Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshana
Yojana.

In a heartfelt conversation with the elderly pilgrims about their journey, Chief Minister Mr. Sai said, “The joy on your faces is my satisfaction.” He added, “In Rameswaram, you will see the sacred Ram Setu, and visit the Jyotirlinga. You will also visit the Meenakshi temple in Madurai, and have the opportunity to see Lord Balaji in Tirupati. This is a beautiful chance to witness the holy places of South India.”

Chief Minister Mr. Sai also mentioned that under the Chief Minister’s Ram Lala (Ayodhya Darshan) Scheme, more than 22,000 pilgrims from Chhattisgarh have already visited Ayodhya to see Lord Ram Lala.

He further said, “After 144 years, the Maha Kumbh was held in Prayagraj. Pilgrims from Chhattisgarh participated in large numbers in the Kumbh. To serve the pilgrims from Chhattisgarh and ensure their comfort, we set up the Chhattisgarh Pavilion in the Prayagraj fair area. There were arrangements for pilgrims to stay across 4.5 acres. It was our privilege to serve the millions of devotees who arrived to bathe in the holy Ganga.”

Chief Minister Mr. Sai assured that pilgrimage journeys under the Chief Minister’s Pilgrimage Scheme will continue regularly. He also informed that the state government has allocated a budget of ₹15 crore for this scheme. The scheme will include pilgrimages to many holy sites such as Ujjain, Puri, Dwarka, Vaishno Devi, Mathura, Vrindavan, and others, with free travel provided for the pilgrims.

He further stated that the wish for pilgrimage of many elderly individuals had often remained unfulfilled due to financial constraints. “We are content that we are now able to fulfill their wishes,” he said. Additionally, he mentioned that widows and abandoned women are also now included in the scheme, allowing them to receive the honor of visiting religious sites. He emphasized that his government is fully committed to the upliftment of youth, farmers, women, tribal communities, and every section of society and is continuously working towards it.

It’s Not Just a Journey; It’s the Confluence of Culture and Devotion – Minister Mrs. Lakshmi Rajwade

Social Welfare Minister Mrs. Lakshmi Rajwade said that the Chief Minister’s Pilgrimage Scheme is not just about pilgrimages, but a living symbol of our eternal culture, traditions, and religious faith. She explained that the scheme provides an opportunity to those devotees who, due to financial limitations, were previously unable to undertake pilgrimages. The government has prepared a fully equipped package for the devotees, which includes train travel, accommodation, meals, temple visits, security, and medical arrangements. A tour escort, police force, and medical team are accompanying the special train to ensure the safety and comfort of the pilgrims at all times. The scheme covers 19 major pilgrimage sites across the country, including Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Puri, Haridwar, Kashi, Shirdi, Vaishno Devi, Amritsar, Dwarka, Bodh Gaya, Kamakhya Temple, and Sabarimala.

Minister Mrs. Rajwade noted that the Chief Minister’s Pilgrimage Scheme was first launched during the tenure of former Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh on December 4, 2012. From January 15, 2013, to June 10, 2019, the scheme benefitted 246,983 devotees through 272 pilgrimages. She mentioned that the scheme was not operational during the previous government’s term for five years. However, this scheme has now been restarted by the current government, taking the initiative to fulfill the long-held dreams of elderly citizens in Chhattisgarh to visit sacred sites and fulfill their devotion.

On this occasion, MLAs Mr. Purandar Mishra, Mr. Motilal Sahu, Mr. Anuj Sharma, Social Welfare Commissioner Mr. Bhuvnesh Yadav, Director Mrs. Roktimma Yadav, Raipur Collector Dr. Gaurav Singh, Municipal Commissioner Mr. Vishwadeep, Raipur DRM Mr. Dayanand, officials and employees from the Social Welfare and Railway departments, along with a large number of citizens, were present.