Odisha Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Odisha Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana is a welfare scheme of the Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha that enables eligible senior citizens to undertake a free pilgrimage to renowned religious destinations across India. Introduced in 2016, the scheme is implemented in collaboration with IRCTC and covers almost the entire cost of the journey, including train or bus travel, accommodation, vegetarian meals, local sightseeing, travel insurance, medical assistance, and a travel kit. For the 2026-27 pilgrimage, selected beneficiaries will travel through the pilgrimage circuits of Varanasi–Ayodhya, Rameswaram–Madurai, and Haridwar–Rishikesh.

The scheme is meant for permanent residents of Odisha who are between 60 and 75 years of age and belong to economically weaker sections of society. Senior citizens holding an NFSA, Antyodaya or Annapurna Ration Card, MGNREGA Job Card, Old Age Pension, Widow Pension, or any other eligible proof of economic deprivation can apply. Married couples can submit a joint application, while applicants above 70 years of age may travel with one attendant by paying 50% of the attendant's travel cost. Each eligible beneficiary can avail the benefit of the scheme only once in a lifetime.

Applications for the Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana can be submitted through both online and offline modes. Eligible applicants can register online through the official Tourism Travel Scheme Management System Portal or submit the prescribed application form at the District Collector Office, District Tourism Office, Block Office, Tehsil Office, or Gram Panchayat Office. If the number of eligible applications exceeds the district-wise quota, beneficiaries are selected through a transparent lottery process conducted by the District Level Committee.

For the 2026-27 pilgrimage, the Odisha Government has invited applications from 15 July 2026 to 14 August 2026. Eligible senior citizens should submit their applications along with the required documents before the last date. After document verification, the Department of Tourism will publish the list of selected beneficiaries and notify them about the pilgrimage schedule.

Scheme Benefits

Under the Odisha Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana, eligible senior citizens receive the following benefits:

• Free pilgrimage to selected religious destinations across India.
• No charges for train or bus travel, accommodation, and vegetarian meals during the pilgrimage.
• Travel arrangements are managed by IRCTC in coordination with the Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha.
• Free travel kit containing essential items for the journey.
• Tour guides, tour managers, and local sightseeing facilities throughout the pilgrimage.
• Travel insurance and medical assistance with qualified medical personnel during the journey.
• Senior citizens above 70 years of age can travel with one attendant by paying only 50% of the attendant's travel cost.

Pilgrimage Destinations

• Under the Odisha Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana, eligible senior citizens may visit the following pilgrimage destinations:
  • Ayodhya
  • Varanasi
  • Vrindavan
  • Pushkar
  • Lingaraj Temple
  • Tirupati
  • Madurai
  • Prayagraj
  • Rishikesh
  • Mathura
  • Puri
  • Konark
  • Ujjain
  • Dwarka
  • Somnath
  • Haridwar
  • Omkareshwar
  • Rameswaram
• Note: For the 2026-27 pilgrimage, selected beneficiaries will travel through the following pilgrimage circuits:
  • Varanasi – Ayodhya
  • Rameswaram – Madurai
  • Haridwar – Rishikesh

Facilities Provided to Senior Citizens

• As part of the Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana, the Government of Odisha ensures the following amenities for every selected senior citizen during the pilgrimage :-

  Food (Pure Vegetarian Only) Breakfast (8 AM – 9 AM): Upma, Dalma or Puri, Mixed Vegetable Curry or Idli with Sambhar, Tea, and Drinking Water Lunch (12 PM – 2 PM): Rice, Roti, Dal, One Curry, Fried Brinjal, Khata, and Water Evening Snacks (4 PM – 5 PM): Tea with Biscuits Dinner (7 PM – 9 PM): Rice, Roti, Dal, Mixed Veg Curry, and Water Travel Kit (Provided by IRCTC) Toothbrush Toothpaste Blanket Cap Shampoo Bath Soap Hand Napkin Comb Laundry Soap Bed Sheet Towel Mirror Identity Card Coconut Oil Travel Bag Accommodation Shared stay arrangements at designated locations Travelling Travel via Air-Conditioned Bus or Chartered Train Other Services Designated Tour Guides for assistance Non-AC Buses for local sightseeing Tour Managers and Escorts for organised management Public Address Systems for announcements and coordination Travel Insurance for all registered participants On-call Medical Support with experienced Physicians

Eligibility Requirement

Applicants must satisfy the following eligibility conditions to avail the benefits of the Odisha Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana:

• The applicant must be a permanent resident (domicile) of Odisha.
• The applicant should be between 60 years and 75 years of age on the last date of application submission.
• In the case of a joint application by a married couple, one spouse may be below 60 years of age.
• The applicant must be physically and mentally fit to undertake the pilgrimage and should not be suffering from any communicable disease.
• The scheme is intended for economically weaker and deprived senior citizens. Applicants should possess any one of the following:
  • Antyodaya or Annapurna Ration Card.
  • National Food Security Act (NFSA) Ration Card.
  • Old Age Pension or Widow Pension beneficiary proof.
  • MGNREGA Job Card.
  • Any other document issued by the Government of Odisha indicating economic deprivation or weaker financial status.
• Applicants above 70 years of age may travel with one attendant.
• The attendant must be at least 18 years old and is required to pay 50% of the applicable travel cost.
• A beneficiary can avail the benefits of the Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana only once in a lifetime.
• Applicants furnishing false information or incorrect documents will be disqualified from the scheme.

Required Documents

Applicants under the Odisha Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana should keep the following documents ready while submitting the application:

• Duly filled application form.
• Recent passport-size colour photographs (2 copies).
• Aadhaar Card of the applicant.
• Any valid Government-issued proof of age, identity and address.
• Medical fitness certificate or self-declaration regarding physical fitness as prescribed in the application form.
• Proof of eligibility under the economically weaker category, such as:
  • Antyodaya or Annapurna Ration Card.
  • NFSA Ration Card.
  • Old Age Pension or Widow Pension document.
  • MGNREGA Job Card.
  • Any other document issued by the Government of Odisha showing economic deprivation, if applicable.
• Spouse's Aadhaar Card and photograph, if applying as a married couple.
• Attendant's Aadhaar Card, photograph and the required Bank Draft towards 50% of the travel cost, if an attendant is accompanying a pilgrim above 70 years of age.

Steps to Apply

• Senior citizens residing in Odisha can apply for the Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana to avail free pilgrimage benefits.
• The application can be submitted through the following modes:
  • Online through the official Tourism Travel Scheme Management System Portal.
  • Offline by submitting the prescribed application form at the designated government offices.

Online Through Official Portal

• Eligible applicants can submit their online application through the Tourism Travel Scheme Management System Portal.
• Visit the portal and click on the "Proceed" button.
• Select the Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana application option.
• Click on "Sign Up" to create a new account.
• Enter your basic details, including your name and mobile number.
• Verify the mobile number using the OTP received on your registered mobile.
• Log in to the portal using your registered mobile number.
• Complete the online application by providing the required details in the following sections:
  • Personal Information.
  • Residential Address.
  • Identity Details.
  • Contact Information.
  • Spouse Details (if applying jointly).
  • Attendant Details (if applicable).
• Upload the required documents and review all the information carefully.
• Submit the application online.
• After successful submission, a unique registration number will be generated for future reference.
• The District Tourist Officer will verify the application and supporting documents.
• If the number of eligible applications exceeds the district quota, beneficiaries will be selected through a transparent lottery process.
• The list of selected applicants will be published by the District Tourism Office.
• For online application assistance, applicants may contact 7064410242 between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM.
• Applications for the 2026-27 pilgrimage can be submitted from 15 July 2026 to 14 August 2026.

Offline Through Application Form

• Applicants can also apply offline using the prescribed application form.
• The application form is available in both English and Odia at the following offices:
  • District Collector Office.
  • District Tourism Office.
  • Gram Panchayat Office.
  • Block Development Office.
  • Tehsil Office.
• Fill in the application form carefully and attach all the required documents.
• Submit the completed application form at the designated office or send it through Speed Post before the last date.
• The District Tourist Officer will verify the application and assign a registration number.
• The District Level Committee, headed by the District Collector, will select eligible applicants through a transparent lottery process if applications exceed the allotted quota.
• A waiting list may also be prepared to fill vacancies arising due to cancellations.
• The final list of selected pilgrims will be displayed at the District Headquarters, District Tourism Office and Block Offices.
• Selected applicants will be informed about the pilgrimage schedule and reporting instructions before the journey.
• Offline applications for the 2026-27 pilgrimage will be accepted from 15 July 2026 to 14 August 2026.

Application Forms

• Odisha Baristha Tirth Yatra Yojana English Application Form.
• Odisha Baristha Tirtha Yatra Yojana Odia Application Form.

Relevant Links

• Travel Scheme Management System Portal Odisha.
• Odisha Baristha Tirtha Yatra Yojana Guidelines.
• Odisha Department of Tourism Website.

Contact Information

• Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana Online Application Support
  • Helpline Number: 7064410242
  • Available Time: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Monday to Saturday)
• Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana Helpline
  • 6371298317
  • 9668662978
• Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha
  • Phone: 0674-2432177
  • Phone: 0674-2431896
  • Email: [email protected]