Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Teerth Darshan Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Chief Minister Teerth Darshan Scheme is a flagship welfare initiative launched by the Government of Madhya Pradesh in June 2012 to provide eligible senior citizens with an opportunity to undertake a free pilgrimage to notified religious destinations across India. The scheme aims to help elderly citizens fulfil their spiritual aspirations without bearing the financial burden of travel. For the 2026–27 financial year, the State Government has allocated a budget of ₹50 crore for the implementation of the scheme. The Religious Trusts and Endowments Department is the nodal department for implementing the scheme, while the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a Government of India enterprise, manages travel, accommodation, catering, and other logistical arrangements.

Under the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Teerth Darshan Scheme, eligible beneficiaries can undertake a completely free pilgrimage to the destinations notified by the Government. The scheme provides travel through specially arranged trains, breakfast, meals, safe drinking water, accommodation at the pilgrimage destination, and bus transportation wherever required during the journey. These facilities ensure that senior citizens can complete their pilgrimage comfortably without incurring travel or accommodation expenses. The Government announces pilgrimage schedules at regular intervals and also updates the list of approved pilgrimage destinations through official notifications whenever required.

In addition to the Chief Minister Teerth Darshan Scheme, the government also operates other pilgrimage initiatives. These include the Ladakh Sindhu Darshan Yojana, Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Scheme, Sita Mandir Yatra in Sri Lanka, and pilgrimage to Nankana Sahib and Hinglaj Devi Temple in Pakistan.

The Mukhyamantri Tirth Darshan Yojana is available to permanent residents of Madhya Pradesh who are not Income Tax payers. Male applicants must be at least 60 years of age, while female applicants become eligible after attaining 58 years of age. However, the age restriction does not apply to persons with 60% or more disability. If either the husband or wife satisfies the eligibility conditions, the other spouse may also accompany the pilgrimage even if he or she does not fulfil the prescribed age criteria. Furthermore, a single pilgrim aged above 65 years and a beneficiary having 60% or more disability are permitted to travel with one caretaker, subject to the conditions prescribed under the scheme. Group applications are also permitted, allowing eligible applicants to undertake the pilgrimage together as per the scheme guidelines.

Applications under the Mukhyamantri Tirth Darshan Yojana are accepted only through the offline mode. Interested applicants can obtain the prescribed application form from the nearest Tehsil Office, Urban Local Body Office, or Janpad Panchayat Office. The application form can also be downloaded from the official scheme portal. Applicants are required to submit the duly filled application form along with the prescribed documents, a recent passport-size photograph, and a medical fitness certificate issued by a Government Medical Officer.

After submission, the concerned department verifies the applicant's eligibility and supporting documents. Applicants who satisfy the prescribed conditions are selected for the notified pilgrimage schedule, after which the concerned department informs the selected beneficiaries about the travel-related instructions. Since the Government announces pilgrimage schedules and application windows from time to time, applicants are advised to check the latest notifications before submitting their applications.

Latest Update: About Madhya Pradesh CM Tirth Darshan Yojana

The Government of Madhya Pradesh has invited applications under the Chief Minister Teerth Darshan Scheme 2026 for the latest pilgrimage schedule. Eligible senior citizens can submit their applications through the offline mode before the last date notified for their preferred pilgrimage.

For the latest 2026 schedule, the State Government has announced a pilgrimage to Kamakhya Dham (Assam) from 11 July 2026 to 16 July 2026. Applications for this pilgrimage were accepted until 27 June 2026. The Government has also announced a pilgrimage to Mathura–Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh) from 25 July 2026 to 28 July 2026, and applications for this journey can be submitted until 11 July 2026.

Scheme Benefits

• Free pilgrimage to selected pilgrimage destinations notified under the scheme.
• Travel through specially arranged trains.
• Free breakfast, meals, and safe drinking water during the journey.
• Accommodation arrangements at the pilgrimage destination.
• Bus transportation wherever required during the pilgrimage.
• Travel management and other essential facilities arranged through IRCTC.

Pilgrimage Destinations Covered Under the Scheme

Under the Chief Minister Teerth Darshan Scheme, eligible beneficiaries can undertake a free pilgrimage to the religious and spiritual destinations notified by the Government of Madhya Pradesh. The approved pilgrimage destinations under the scheme are listed below.

• Badrinath (Uttarakhand)
• Kedarnath (Uttarakhand)
• Haridwar (Uttarakhand)
• Rishikesh (Uttarakhand)
• Jagannath Puri (Odisha)
• Dwarkadhish, Dwarka (Gujarat)
• Amarnath (Jammu & Kashmir)
• Vaishno Devi, Katra (Jammu & Kashmir)
• Kashi (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh)
• Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh)
• Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh)
• Mathura–Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh)
• Sant Ravidas Temple, Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)
• Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh)
• Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu)
• Velankanni Church, Nagapattinam (Tamil Nadu)
• Shirdi (Maharashtra)
• Dr B.R. Ambedkar Deekshabhoomi, Nagpur (Maharashtra)
• Dr B.R. Ambedkar Chaityabhoomi, Mumbai (Maharashtra)
• Gaya (Bihar)
• Kamakhya (Assam)
• Ajmer Sharif (Rajasthan)
• Shravanabelagola (Karnataka)
• Sammed Shikhar (Jharkhand)
• Golden Temple, Amritsar (Punjab)
• Dr B.R. Ambedkar National Memorial, New Delhi
• Dr B.R. Ambedkar Janmasthali, Mhow (Madhya Pradesh)
• Sita Mandir, Ashok Vatika (Sri Lanka)
• Angkor Wat Temple (Cambodia)

Note: The Government of Madhya Pradesh may revise the list of pilgrimage destinations and announce new pilgrimage schedules through official notifications from time to time.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the eligibility conditions prescribed by the Government of Madhya Pradesh to avail the benefits of the Chief Minister Teerth Darshan Scheme. Before submitting the application, ensure that you meet the following eligibility criteria.

• The applicant must be a permanent resident of Madhya Pradesh.
• The applicant should not be an Income Tax payer.
• Male applicants must be at least 60 years of age.
• Female applicants must be at least 58 years of age.
• There is no age limit for persons with 60% or more disability.
• If either the husband or wife is eligible, the spouse can also accompany the pilgrimage even if he or she is below the prescribed age limit.
• The applicant must be physically and mentally fit to undertake the pilgrimage.
• The applicant should not be suffering from any contagious disease and must submit a medical fitness certificate.
• A single pilgrim above 65 years of age and a person with 60% or more disability can take one caretaker during the journey.

Required Documents

While applying for the Chief Minister Teerth Darshan Scheme, applicants must submit a duly filled application form along with the required supporting documents. These documents are used to verify the applicant's identity and eligibility. The list of required documents is given below.

• Recent colour passport-size photograph.
• Valid Identity Proof (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID Card, Ration Card, Driving Licence, Passport, or other).
• Domicile certificate or proof of residence of Madhya Pradesh.
• Age proof.
• Medical fitness certificate issued by a Government Medical Officer.
• Disability certificate for persons with 60% or more disability (if applicable).
• Documents related to spouse or caretaker (if applicable).
• Declaration that the applicant is not an Income Tax payer and has not availed the scheme during the last five years (if required).

Steps to Apply

The applications under the Chief Minister Teerth Darshan Scheme are accepted only through the offline mode. Eligible senior citizens can apply by filling out the prescribed application form and submitting it to the designated government office in their area. The application process is explained below.

• Obtain the prescribed Chief Minister Teerth Darshan Scheme application form
• The application form can be collected from the nearest Tehsil Office, Urban Local Body (Municipal Corporation/Municipal Council/Municipality) Office, or Janpad Panchayat Office.
• Applicants can also download the application form from the official scheme portal.
• Carefully fill in the application form with the required details, including the
  • applicant's name
  • address,
  • age,
  • mobile number,
  • Aadhaar details,
  • preferred pilgrimage destination,
  • and other necessary information.
• Attach all the required documents along with the completed application form.
• Also affix a recent colour passport-size photograph in the designated space.
• Obtain a medical fitness certificate from a Government Medical Officer confirming that the applicant is physically and mentally fit to undertake the pilgrimage, and attach it with the application.
• If the applicant wishes to travel with a spouse, apply as a group, or take a caretaker, the relevant details and supporting documents should also be submitted with the application.
• Submit the duly filled application form along with all supporting documents to the concerned Tehsil Office, Urban Local Body Office, or Janpad Panchayat Office before the last date announced for the selected pilgrimage.

Selection Process

After the submission of the application form, the concerned department verifies the applicant's eligibility and the documents attached with the application. The selection process under the Chief Minister Teerth Darshan Scheme is carried out according to the scheme guidelines and the pilgrimage schedule notified by the Government of Madhya Pradesh.

1. The concerned department receives the application form along with the required documents.
2. The applicant's eligibility and supporting documents are verified by the concerned authority.
3. Only applicants who fulfil all the eligibility conditions of the scheme are considered for the notified pilgrimage schedule.
4. Selected beneficiaries are informed about the journey date, reporting point, departure schedule, and other travel-related instructions by the concerned department.
5. The selected beneficiaries can then undertake the free pilgrimage on the scheduled dates under the scheme.

Important Points

• The application form must be filled in Hindi.
• Applicants should carry their original Aadhaar Card, Voter ID Card, or any other valid identity proof during the pilgrimage.
• A medical fitness certificate issued by a Government Medical Officer is mandatory for all applicants.
• Applicants should provide the correct mobile number and emergency contact details in the application form.
• Beneficiaries should carry their personal belongings such as medicines, warm clothes, blankets, toiletries, and other essential items according to the weather conditions.
• Carrying inflammable materials, intoxicating substances, and expensive jewellery or valuables during the pilgrimage is prohibited.
• Pilgrims must follow the instructions issued by the tour supervisors and the concerned department throughout the journey.
• The Government announces pilgrimage schedules, application dates, and approved destinations from time to time. Applicants should check the latest official notification before applying.
• The Government is not responsible for any accident or unforeseen difficulty that may occur during the pilgrimage as per the scheme guidelines.
• Applicants should report at the designated departure point on the date and time communicated by the concerned department.

Relevant Links

• Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Teerth Darshan Scheme Application Form
• Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Teerth Darshan Scheme Notification.
• MP CM Teerth Darshan Scheme Portal
• Madhya Pradesh CM Tirth Darshan Scheme Details

Contact Information

• Religious Trusts and Endowments Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh
  • Phone: 0755-2512091
  • Email: [email protected]
• Directorate of Religious Trusts and Endowments, Madhya Pradesh
  • Phone: 0734-2991135
  • Email: [email protected]
• Madhya Pradesh Pilgrimage and Fair Authority
  • Phone: 0755-2575536
  • Email: [email protected]