Uttarakhand Deendayal Matru-Pitru Tirthatan Yojana

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Deendayal Matru-Pitru Tirthatan Yojana is a pilgrimage assistance scheme of the Uttarakhand Government that enables eligible senior citizens to undertake pilgrimage to religious destinations covered under the annual yatra programme. Under the scheme, senior citizens aged 60 years or above can receive organised pilgrimage facilities, including road transportation, accommodation, meals and guidance, helping them visit a selected religious destination without bearing the full cost of the journey.

The Uttarakhand Matri-Pitri Teerthatan Yojana covers the travel arrangements through the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation, while accommodation is provided through GMVN or KMVN tourist rest houses. Beneficiaries receive meals throughout the yatra, and a group guide accompanies each batch of pilgrims. A beneficiary can select only one pilgrimage destination from the religious places available under the programme for that particular year. The pilgrimage generally lasts around four days, although the duration may differ depending on the destination. Senior citizens looking for regular financial support can also explore the Uttarakhand Old Age Pension Scheme, which provides monthly pension assistance to eligible elderly residents.

The list of pilgrimage destinations under the scheme has expanded over the years and now includes religious sites across different districts of Uttarakhand as well as important pilgrimage centres outside the state. These destinations include major religious places such as Ayodhya, Mathura, Varanasi, Amritsar and Shri Khatu Shyam Ji, along with other destinations covered under the annual pilgrimage programme. The actual places available to beneficiaries can vary according to the programme announced for the relevant year.

The scheme also provides an additional travel facility for elderly beneficiaries who require personal assistance. A pilgrim aged 70 years or above who is physically weak or has a disability can bring one attendant for personal care. The attendant is eligible for a 50% discount on the applicable travel cost, subject to the conditions prescribed under the scheme. The Transport Commissioner determines the fare for the destinations covered under the programme, with the prescribed amount handled through the reimbursement or direct-payment mechanism specified for the yatra.

Applications for the Deendayal Matru-Pitru Tirthatan Yojana are accepted through the offline process. Interested senior citizens need to visit the office of the concerned District Tourism Development Officer to obtain and submit the prescribed application. Selection is made on a first-come, first-served basis against the annual target fixed for each district. Applicants should therefore check the current year's pilgrimage destinations, target and registration schedule with their district tourism office before applying.

Latest Update

In connection with Haridwar Kumbh 2027, the Uttarakhand Government has announced a free pilgrimage opportunity for eligible senior citizens from the state's districts. Interested senior citizens can contact the concerned district tourism authorities for information regarding registration and the pilgrimage arrangements.

Scheme Benefits

The scheme provides eligible senior citizens with government-supported pilgrimage facilities to selected religious destinations. The main benefits include the following:

• Eligible senior citizens can undertake a free pilgrimage to one selected religious destination covered under the scheme.
• Free road travel to the selected pilgrimage destination is arranged through the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC).
• Free accommodation is provided at tourist rest houses operated by Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) or Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) during the pilgrimage.
• Free meals are provided throughout the duration of the pilgrimage.
• A group guide accompanies each batch of pilgrims from the beginning to the end of the pilgrimage.
• Each beneficiary can select only one pilgrimage destination from the destinations covered under the applicable pilgrimage programme.
• The Transport Commissioner determines the applicable fare for each pilgrimage destination covered under the scheme.
• The approved travel fare is either reimbursed to the beneficiary's bank account after completion of the pilgrimage or paid directly as prescribed, against the photo identity card/yatra pass issued during the application process.
• A beneficiary aged 70 years or above may bring one attendant for personal care if the senior citizen is physically weak or has a disability.
• The eligible attendant receives a 50% discount on the applicable travel cost.
• The pilgrimage generally lasts around four days per batch, although the exact duration may vary depending on the selected destination.

Pilgrimage Destinations Covered

The Deendayal Matri-Pitri Teerthatan Yojana covers a wide list of religious sites, both inside Uttarakhand and beyond. Each applicant can choose only one of these destinations for their trip.

• Yamunotri Dham
• Gangotri Dham
• Kedarnath Dham
• Badrinath Dham
• Hemkund Sahib
• Piran Kaliyar Sharif
• Nanakmatta / Reetha-Mitha Sahib (Udham Singh Nagar)
• Tarkeshwar Mahadev (Pauri)
• Kalimath (Rudraprayag)
• Jageshwar Dham (Almora)
• Gairad Golu Devta and Baijnath (Bageshwar)
• Gangolihat (Pithoragarh)
• Mahasu Devta (Dehradun district)
• Kalinka Devi and Jwalpa Devi (Pauri Garhwal)
• Ayodhya (Newly Added)
• Mathura (Newly Added)
• Varanasi (Newly Added)
• Amritsar (Newly Added)
• Shri Khatu Shyam Ji (Newly Added)

Eligibility Requirements

The scheme is intended for senior citizens of Uttarakhand who meet the prescribed age requirement. Eligible beneficiaries can avail themselves of free pilgrimage facilities to the religious destinations covered under the government programme.

• The applicant must be a permanent resident of Uttarakhand.
• The applicant's age must be 60 years or above, as the scheme's current eligibility criterion.
• Where one spouse in an elderly couple doesn't meet the age criterion on their own, the couple can still travel together, as long as the other spouse qualifies.
• Each beneficiary can avail this scheme's benefit only once in their lifetime.
• A signed affidavit, confirming the applicant hasn't availed this benefit before, is required at the time of application.
• Selection happens strictly on a first-come, first-served basis, against the yearly target fixed for the applicant's district.

Ineligibility Criteria

Certain senior citizens are excluded from the benefits of the Deendayal Matru-Pitru Tirthatan Yojana based on their employment and income-tax status. The following applicants cannot avail themselves of the scheme:

• Retired government employees are not eligible to avail the scheme.
• Income-tax payers are not eligible for the pilgrimage benefit.
• A beneficiary who has already availed the benefit of the scheme is not eligible to receive the benefit again, as the scheme permits the benefit only once.

Required Documents

The available Uttarakhand Government documents do not provide a separate, fixed list of documents required for registration under the Deendayal Matru-Pitru Tirthatan Yojana. Applicants should contact the concerned District Tourism Development Officer to confirm the documents required for the current pilgrimage programme before submitting their application.

• Aadhaar Card
• Income Proof
• Prescribed application/registration form, as applicable.
• Age proof, as required for verification of senior citizen eligibility.
• Identity and residence documents, if prescribed by the concerned authority.
• A signed affidavit, confirming the applicant has not availed this scheme's benefit before.
• A health/fitness certificate, also verified at registration, confirming the applicant is fit to travel.
• Any other documents specified by the Tourism Department or District Tourism Development Officer for the particular pilgrimage programme.

Steps to Apply

Senior citizens who wish to undertake pilgrimage under the Deendayal Matri-Pitri Teerthatan Yojana need to complete the registration process through the concerned district authorities. Applicants should follow the prescribed process and submit the required information and documents within the specified period.

• Visit the office of the District Tourism Development Officer or your District Magistrate's office.
• Obtain the prescribed application form for the Deendayal Matru-Pitru Tirthatan Yojana.
• Fill in the application form with the required personal and pilgrimage-related details.
• Select one pilgrimage destination from the pilgrimage places available under the scheme for that particular year.
• Attach the required documents and submit the completed application form to the concerned authority.
• The application and eligibility details are verified by the concerned authorities.
• After selection, the beneficiary receives the prescribed photo identity card/yatra pass for the pilgrimage.
• The beneficiary must report at the designated place and time as instructed by the tourism authorities for the organised journey.

Relevant Links

• Uttarakhand Tourism Department

Contact Information

• Uttarakhand Tourism Department Contact Details.
• Uttarkashi District Tourism Development Officer: +91-7300799201
• Haridwar District Tourism Development Officer: +91-9412076849
• Rudraprayag District Tourism Development Officer: +91-8882976860
• Pauri District Tourism Development Officer: +91-8279868075
• Almora District Tourism Development Officer: +91-9412998517
• Nainital District Tourism Development Officer: +91-9458300455 / +91-7895737015
• Udham Singh Nagar District Tourism Development Officer: +91-8392911389
• Champawat District Tourism Development Officer: +91-7895229267
• Bageshwar District Tourism Development Officer: +91-9412998517
• Pithoragarh District Tourism Development Officer: +91-9895737015
• Tehri District Tourism Development Officer: +91-7300799202
• Dehradun District Tourism Development Officer: +91-7060038440
• Chamoli District Tourism Development Officer: +91-9012353111