Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra: First batch to go on Sep 10, registration to begin from tomorrow
The Odisha Tourism Department along with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has already announces the 8th edition of Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra 205-26.
Bhubaneswar: The first batch of the eighth edition of the Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra (BNTYY) 2025-26 will begin their visit from September 10 for which registration will commence from tomorrow, informed Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida.
The Odisha Tourism Department along with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has already announces the 8th edition of Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra 205-26.
According to Parida, senior citizens aged 60 to 75 years can register themselves online at yatra.odisha.gov.in or offline at their respective block and district administration offices between July 17 and August 15.
During this 8th edition, a total of 800 people (775 senior citizen pilgrims and 25 Escort Officers) citizens will get the opportunity to visit various pilgrimage places in the country. The first pilgrim train will leave from Bhubaneswar station on September 10.
In the first phase, senior citizens of Khurda, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Dhenkanal, Kendrapara and Puri will join this pilgrimage. During this journey, first in Varanasi, they will visit Kashi Vishwanath with Ganga Aarti and then in Ayodhya, the pilgrims will visit Lord Ram’s temple and visit Sarju Valley Latehar and Shri Hanuman Garhi Mandir.
The pilgrims will stay for a total of 6 days and 5 nights, said sources adding that senior citizens aged 70-75 can accompany one citizen aged 18 and above.
Under the BNTYY scheme, citizens aged 60 to 75 years are selected irrespective of caste and religion. For the selection of beneficiaries, any one of the documents as proof of their address/ age/ identity/ category as prescribed by Govt. of India/ Govt. of Odisha. Besides, MGNREGS Job card/ Antyodaya/ Arnapurna/ Old age pension/ Widow pension/ Ration card under NFSA, etc. in which name and age are clearly mentioned, shall be acceptable as EWS Category proofs of financial backwardness has to be submitted along with the application. In the case of a senior citizen couple, either one of them must be above 60 years of age.
The state government provides the following facilities to the pilgrims through BNTYY scheme:
- Transport facility to the pilgrims from their villages to the respective railway stations and back.
- Accommodation, transportation and food and beverage arrangements for all pilgrims during the journey by IRCTC.
- Travel guard, guide, travel insurance and medical facilities by IRCTC.
