PANAJI
The Goa government will flag off the first pilgrim trip under the Mukhyamantri Dev Darshan Scheme on January 9. The scheme was revived this month after being on hold for nearly a year due to lack of government approval.
The first trip will leave Margao railway station at 10 am, with about 1,200 pilgrims travelling to Vailankanni for a three-day visit, Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Desai said.
He said bookings are available online at www.yatraconnect.in. The Department will take care of accommodation and all basic facilities so that pilgrims can travel in comfort.
The Department has also planned trips to Ayodhya on January 19, January 26 and February 2. The scheme restarted from January 1, with the age limit now expanded to include devotees between 50 and 70 years. Earlier, only those aged 60 years and above were allowed. Applications will now be accepted only online, through a web portal or mobile app, to make the process easier.
Under the scheme, Goan devotees can visit major pilgrimage centres across the country by special trains arranged by the government. Over the past three years, 17 pilgrim trips were held before the scheme was put on hold earlier this financial year.
The scheme saw a strong response during the Mahakumbh, when three special trains were arranged to Prayagraj in February 2025.
