Fron next week onwards, Delhi government will be sending senior citizens from the national capital to Ayodhya for darshan of Shri Ram Lalla under Delhi’s free pilgrimage scheme the ‘Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana’. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced today that the first train carrying senior citizens from Delhi to Ayodhya for pilgrimage will depart on December 3

“Our first train for Ayodhya will be leaving on 3rd December, registrations have started,” he said on Tuesday. As many as 1,000 people will be leaving for Ayodhya on the train. 

“There is great demand from senior citizens for the pilgrimage scheme. We are getting large number of applications for pilgrimage to different places, including Ayodhya. Pilgrims for other places will be sent after preparations are complete,” said Kamal Bansal, chairman of the Delhi government’s Tirth Yatra Vikas Samiti.

For the unversed, Delhi government arranges pilgrimage for senior citizen for free. Under this scheme, the pilgrims get to visit Vaishno Devi, Shirdi, Rameswaram, Dwarka, Puri, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mathura, Vrindavan and other sites. Last month, the government added Ayodhya to the list.  

After the proposal was approved by the Cabinet, the chief minister had said, “Senior citizens of Delhi can now visit Ayodhya and offer prayers at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi for free.” The pilgrimage scheme had been halted due to COVID-19, but now instructions have been issued to resume it, the official said, adding that trains for various destinations are expected to start in the next month.

‘Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana: All you need to know

The Kejriwal government in 2019 launched the free pilgrimage scheme under which people aged 60 years and above and their attendants are provided free pilgrimage every year. Initially, there were five pilgrimage sites under the scheme and later, seven more sites were added to it.

Under this scheme, people over the age of 60 are taken for a pilgrimage free of cost. Senior citizens availing free pilgrimage are issued certificates by the MLAs of their respective areas. The ministers of the Delhi government and the chairman of the Tirth Yatra Vikas Samiti also issue certificates to the applicants.

Eligibility Criteria:

• The applicant/spouse must be a resident of the territorial jurisdiction of NCT of Delhi.
• The applicant must have completed 60 years of age (As on 1st January of the year in which the Application for availing the Yojana is submitted)
• The applicant/spouse must NOT be employed with Central/State Government or Local/Autonomous bodies.
• The applicant/spouse must NOT have ever availed the scheme in the past.
• The age of the attendant must be more than 21 years(In case opting for attendant)

Mandatory documents required:

• Application in the prescribed form along with Self Declaration
• Self-Attested copy of medical certificate mentioning the applicant/Spouse is mentally/physically fit to undertake the proposed journey.
• Self-Attested Copies of Delhi Voter ID Card.(For Applicant/Spouse)
• Self Declaration.
• Copy of Certificate from MLA for residence of his/her constituency or any Minister from GNCT of Delhi or Chairman, Tirath Yaatra Vikas Samiti GNCT of Delhi.
   

Documents to be attached with the Application Form:

1. Voter Id card of the Applicant, Spouse and Attendant

2. One Passport size Coloured Photograph of the applicant(Size 5cm x 4.5cm Or 2”x1.75”)

• Should include full face, front view and open eyes
• Should be of full head from top of hair to shoulder
• Should be in a plain white or off-white background
• Shouldn’t be shadows on the face or background
• Should have a natural expression (closed mouth)
• Should not include sunglasses or hats

How to apply for the scheme?

Step 1: Log on to the e-district portal at https://edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in/

Step 2: Click on the “Registration in e-District Delhi” section on the homepage of the website and click on “New User”

Step 3: Select “Aadhaar Card” or “Voter Card” and enter its number

Step 4: Click on the “Click on to Continue” option. A form will appear

Step 5: Fill out the form and upload the scanned photograph of the required documents

Step 6: Submit the application form and remember your registration ID and password

Step 7: Now login to the site and apply for Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana

Routes covered under the scheme

Delhi-Mathura-Vrindavan-Agra-Fatehpur Sikri-Delhi for 5 days
Delhi-Haridwar-Rishikesh-Neelkanth-Delhi for 4 days
Delhi-Ajmer-Pushkar-Nathdwara-Haldighati-Udaipur-Delhi for 6 days
Delhi-Amritsar-Wagha Border-Anandpur Sahib-Delhi for 4 days
Delhi-Vaishno Devi-Jammu-Delhi for 5 days
Delhi-Rameshwaram-Madurai-Delhi for 8 days
Delhi-Tirupati Balaji-Delhi for 7 days
Delhi-Dwarkadhish-Nageshwar-Somnath-Delhi for 6 days
Delhi- Jagannath Puri-Konark-Bhubaneswar-Delhi for 7 days
Delhi-Shirdi-Shani Shinglapur-Triyambakeshwar-Delhi for 5 days
Delhi-Ujjain-Omkareshwar-Delhi for 6 days
Delhi-Bodh Gaya-Sarnath-Delhi for 6 days
Delhi-Ayodhya-Delhi for 4 days

Guidelines:

• In case it is found that any applicant/spouse has ever availed the MukhyamantriTirthYatra scheme in the past, they will be liable to repay the entire amount incurred for the yatra along with a penalty of 25%.
• Applicant/Spouse above 60 years of age will have a choice to take one attendant with him provided the age of attended must be above 21 years of age.
• Incase travelling with spouse, the facility of only one attendant will be available.
• Incase applicants won’t be able to undertake the pilgrimage, he/she has to provide intimation upto the 07 days before the travel date. Otherwise, he/she shall not be eligible to apply under this scheme again
• The Yatris will not be allowed to take or use any inflammable material or liquor or any intoxicating articles
• Yatris will be fully responsible for his/her jewellary and belongings during the yatra.
• Yatris are expected to behave in a civilized manner as per the requirements of the TirthYatra.
• Yatris are required to follow the instructions of the Liason Officer.
• The Government or the TirthYatra Vikas Samiti will not be responsible for any accident or mis-happening during the journey

The Delhi government bears all the expenses on the pilgrimage, including the travel, food and accommodation charges. Facilities like paramedical staff and attendants are also provided during the journey. One attendant aged 21 or more can accompany each traveller. The government bears the expenses for the attendant too.