Rajasthan’s free pilgrimage scheme for senior citizens opens applications: Check eligibility, destinations and how to apply

The Rajasthan government has invited applications for the Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme 2026, offering eligible elderly residents an opportunity to visit prominent religious destinations across India and Nepal free of cost.

Implemented by the Devsthan Department, the scheme covers travel, accommodation and meals, with all expenses borne by the state government. Announced as part of the state budget, the initiative aims to make spiritual travel accessible to senior citizens.

56,000 senior citizens to travel free

A total of 56,000 beneficiaries will be selected under the scheme through a lottery system.

Of these, 6,000 pilgrims will travel by air to the revered Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, while the remaining 50,000 will undertake pilgrimages by AC train to various religious circuits across the country.

The last date to apply is June 10, 2026.

Who is eligible?

Residents of Rajasthan who are 60 years or older as of April 1, 2026, can apply for the scheme.

Married couples can submit a joint application and travel together if selected.

To make the journey easier for elderly participants, pilgrims aged 70 years and above are allowed to take one attendant along, with the associated expenses also covered by the government.

Destinations covered under the scheme

The air travel category includes a pilgrimage to the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, one of Hinduism’s most significant religious sites.

Pilgrims travelling by train can choose from 13 circuits:

• Haridwar – Rishikesh – Ayodhya – Varanasi – Sarnath
• Sammed Shikhar – Pawapuri – Varanasi – Sarnath
• Mathura – Vrindavan – Barsana – Agra – Ayodhya
• Dwarkapuri – Nageswar – Somnath
• Tirupati – Padmavati
• Kamakhya – Guwahati
• Ganga Sagar – Kolkata
• Jagannath Puri – Konark
• Rameshwaram – Madurai
• Vaishno Devi – Amritsar – Wagah Border
• Goa temples and churches circuit
• Ujjain – Omkareshwar – Trayambakeshwar – Ghrishneshwar – Ellora
• Bihar Sharif – Patna Sahib – Patna and Sri Hazur Sahib Nanded

The Somnath Swabhiman Parv Yatra under the scheme is scheduled to depart from Jaipur on June 5.

How to apply

Interested applicants can submit their applications online through the Devsthan Department’s official portal.

After the application window closes, beneficiaries will be chosen through a lottery draw. Selected applicants will be able to undertake the pilgrimage without bearing any travel, accommodation or meal expenses.

With free air travel to Nepal, AC train journeys to major pilgrimage destinations and comprehensive government support, the Rajasthan Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme 2026 is among the state’s largest welfare initiatives for elderly citizens seeking religious and spiritual travel opportunities.