Haryana Government’s Complete Varanasi and Amritsar Pilgrimage Program for Senior Citizens

Understanding the Official Name and Multiple Identities

The scheme operates under the official designation "Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana" as announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on November 2, 2023, during the Antyodaya Mahasammelan in Karnal marking the Haryana Government's ninth anniversary. However, the program is referenced by several equivalent names in official communications and public usage. These include "Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana" emphasizing the darshan or sacred viewing aspect, "Haryana Mukhyamantri Nishulk Teerth Yatra Yojana" highlighting the free or nishulk nature of the service, and "Haryana Chief Minister Free Pilgrimage Scheme" in English translations.

This multiplicity of names sometimes confuses applicants searching for information online or inquiring at government offices. All these names refer to the same unified program providing free pilgrimage opportunities to senior citizens. When applying through the SARAL portal or visiting district offices, any of these names will be recognized by officials. The scheme documentation and application forms may use any of these variants, so applicants should not worry about using the exact wording but should understand they all represent the identical welfare initiative launched in late 2023.

Timeline of Scheme Launch and Implementation Phases

The scheme's journey began with its formal announcement on November 2, 2023, though actual implementation commenced in December 2023 when registration processes opened through the SARAL portal. The first pilgrimage group was flagged off in May 2024, though initial plans targeted March 2024 departures that got delayed due to Lok Sabha elections. Finance Minister Sandeep Singh presented specifics during the Haryana Budget 2024-25 speech on February 23, 2024, confirming destinations and eligibility parameters. The scheme gained significant momentum when CM Nayab Singh Saini flagged off an AC bus carrying thirty-eight pilgrims from Ambala to Ayodhya on June 17, 2024.

Understanding this timeline helps applicants recognize that the scheme remains relatively new with procedures still evolving based on implementation experience. Early batches faced some organizational challenges and scheduling adjustments that have since been streamlined. Current applicants benefit from refined processes developed through these initial phases. The scheme continues expanding with recent additions like Maha Kumbh Yatra announced as newly covered destinations, demonstrating ongoing development responsive to public demand and major religious events.

How This Differs From Similar State Schemes

While Haryana's initiative shares conceptual similarities with pilgrimage schemes run by states like Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, specific implementation details vary significantly. Punjab's Mukhyamantri Tirath Yatra operates with different destination lists and budget allocations, as evidenced by their twenty-five crore rupee allocation announced in the 2024-25 budget. Rajasthan runs its program as "Varishtha Nagrik Tirth Yatra Yojana" targeting elderly citizens with distinct age and income criteria, while Madhya Pradesh implements "Tirth Darshan Yojana" with its own specifications.

Haryana's scheme distinguishes itself through several features: the specific annual income ceiling of rupees one lakh eighty thousand, the three-year frequency limitation allowing repeat participation after waiting periods, and comprehensive expense coverage including AC 3-tier rail or AC Volvo bus travel rather than lower class options. The SARAL portal integration for online applications represents another distinguishing feature providing digital accessibility that some other states' programs may lack. Applicants should avoid confusion between these various state programs and ensure they apply under Haryana's specific scheme if they are Haryana domicile holders meeting the state's distinct eligibility criteria.

Age Requirements and Calculation Method

Applicants must have completed sixty years of age as calculated on January 1st of the year they apply, making this date the universal cutoff for age determination across all applications within that year. For instance, someone turning sixty on June 15, 2025, would not qualify for 2025 applications since they were still fifty-nine on January 1, 2025, but would become eligible for 2026 applications. This standardized calculation prevents confusion and disputes about eligibility timing. The scheme allows some flexibility regarding accompanying spouses when one partner meets the age requirement while the other falls slightly short, though official guidelines should be consulted for specific cases.

Beneficiaries above eighty years of age receive special provision allowing them to bring one attendant or companion during the journey, recognizing that very elderly travelers may require additional personal assistance beyond what group coordinators provide. However, the attendant must pay fifty percent of the railway ticket fare either online during application or through cash payment at the nearest Antyodaya Saral Kendra. This partial payment requirement balances the genuine need for elderly assistance against fiscal sustainability, ensuring the scheme primarily benefits the senior citizen rather than becoming free travel for entire families.

Critical Income Ceiling of Rupees One Lakh Eighty Thousand

The scheme enforces a strict annual family income limit of rupees one lakh eighty thousand from all known sources, representing a critical eligibility criterion that applicants must document through income certificates issued by competent revenue authorities. This threshold targets lower and middle-income families for whom pilgrimage costs create genuine financial barriers, while excluding affluent households capable of self-funding such journeys. The income calculation encompasses the entire family's earnings from salary, business, agriculture, pensions, and all other sources, requiring honest disclosure and official verification.

Both Below Poverty Line category and non-BPL category families qualify provided their total annual income remains below the rupees one lakh eighty thousand ceiling. BPL status does not create separate eligibility or additional benefits since all qualifying beneficiaries receive identical completely free pilgrimage arrangements regardless of whether they hold BPL cards. The income certificate must be current, typically not older than six months from application date, and issued through proper governmental channels rather than self-declarations. Applicants earning just above this threshold face automatic disqualification even if they meet all other criteria, making accurate income documentation crucial.

Haryana Domicile and Parivar Pehchan Patra Requirements

Permanent Haryana residency verified through domicile certificates or equivalent official proofs forms the fundamental geographic eligibility condition. Beyond traditional domicile certificates, the scheme increasingly emphasizes Parivar Pehchan Patra registration, which is Haryana's comprehensive family database system assigning unique family IDs used across multiple government schemes. The PPP family ID streamlines application processes and verification procedures since it already contains validated family demographic and economic data that scheme administrators can reference directly.

Applicants should ensure their PPP registration remains current with accurate family member details, income information, and contact numbers before applying for the pilgrimage scheme. The SARAL portal integration with PPP databases enables automatic data population in application forms when family IDs are entered, reducing manual entry requirements and potential errors. Families not yet registered in the PPP system should complete that registration before attempting pilgrimage applications, as the interconnected digital infrastructure increasingly requires PPP participation for accessing various Haryana government welfare programs including this teerth yatra initiative.

Primary Destinations Currently Operational

The scheme covers eight major pilgrimage destinations across India representing diverse faith traditions. Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, especially significant following the Ram Mandir consecration in January 2024, receives particular emphasis as Finance Minister specifically highlighted it during budget presentations. Varanasi, the eternal city on Ganges banks housing Kashi Vishwanath Temple, represents Hinduism's spiritual epicenter. Amritsar's Golden Temple serves as Sikhism's holiest shrine, while Ajmer Sharif's dargah attracts Muslim devotees alongside people of all faiths. These four locations constitute the most frequently scheduled pilgrimage routes.

Additional covered destinations include Nanded Sahib in Maharashtra, one of Sikhism's five takhts or seats of temporal authority; Patna Sahib in Bihar where Guru Gobind Singh was born; Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh hosting one of Hinduism's twelve Jyotirlinga temples; and Katra serving as the base town for Vaishno Devi Temple pilgrimage in Jammu and Kashmir. The scheme's multi-faith approach reflects India's pluralistic religious landscape, ensuring Haryana's diverse population finds destinations matching their specific spiritual traditions rather than limiting support to any single religion's sacred sites.

Recently Announced Addition of Maha Kumbh Yatra

Haryana Chief Minister recently announced that beneficiaries can also participate in Maha Kumbh Yatra under this scheme, representing a significant expansion recognizing the immense religious importance of the Kumbh Mela, which occurs every twelve years at four sacred river locations. The Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj, where Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers converge, attracts tens of millions of pilgrims making it the world's largest religious gathering. Including Maha Kumbh demonstrates the scheme's responsiveness to major religious events beyond year-round destination access.

However, Maha Kumbh participation through this scheme will require special logistical planning given the event's massive scale and limited duration concentrated over specific auspicious bathing dates. Applicants interested in Maha Kumbh should watch for special notifications announcing registration windows, departure schedules, and any modified procedures necessitated by the unique challenges of managing large pilgrim groups at an event hosting unprecedented crowds. This addition showcases the scheme's flexibility to incorporate extraordinary religious occasions beyond routine temple darshan visits, though practical implementation details will emerge through official announcements as Kumbh dates approach.

Understanding Destination Selection and Routing

Beneficiaries typically do not enjoy complete free choice of destinations on demand. Instead, the government organizes scheduled group departures to specific destinations on predetermined dates based on logistical planning, season appropriateness, and balanced distribution across various religious sites. Announcements specify upcoming batches with their designated destinations, allowing eligible seniors to apply for trips matching their preferred pilgrimage sites. This organized scheduling ensures adequate group sizes for cost-effective travel arrangements and prevents overwhelming any single destination with excessive simultaneous arrivals.

Some destinations may see more frequent trips than others based on popularity and relative proximity to Haryana. Amritsar and Varanasi, being major Hindu and Sikh sites respectively with strong connections to Haryana's population demographics, likely receive more scheduled batches than more distant locations like Ujjain or Nanded Sahib. Applicants should monitor official announcements about upcoming pilgrimage schedules through the SARAL portal, district offices, or local media to identify when their desired destination becomes available for application. Flexibility regarding travel dates helps secure participation since rigid insistence on specific departure times may result in missing opportunities.

AC 3-Tier Train Travel and AC Volvo Bus Options

The Haryana Government provides air-conditioned third-tier sleeper class train tickets for long-distance journeys to pilgrimage destinations, ensuring comfortable overnight travel appropriate for senior citizens. AC 3-tier coaches offer berths with bedding, climate control, and cleaner facilities compared to non-AC classes, making extended journeys less physically taxing for elderly passengers. For destinations where train connectivity proves inconvenient or where group sizes suit bus travel better, the government arranges AC Volvo buses known for their superior comfort, suspension systems, and onboard amenities suitable for senior travelers.

The choice between train and bus travel depends on factors including destination distance, available railway connections, group size, and seasonal considerations. Destinations like Amritsar with excellent rail links from Haryana typically utilize train transport, while bus travel might serve locations with circuitous or infrequent train services. Buses also offer advantages for groups preferring to travel together throughout the journey without railway platform changes or compartment separations. Regardless of mode, the government handles all booking, seat allocation, and coordination, freeing pilgrims from the stress of navigating complex reservation systems that often challenge elderly people unfamiliar with online platforms.

Complete Coverage of Food and Lodging Expenses

All food and lodging costs during the pilgrimage receive full government coverage, meaning beneficiaries pay nothing for meals or accommodation throughout their journey from departure until return to Haryana. The government arranges stays in dharamshalas, pilgrim rest houses, or modest hotels located near pilgrimage sites, prioritizing proximity to sacred locations to minimize daily travel for elderly participants. Meals provided follow vegetarian menus respecting the dietary preferences of religious pilgrims, with attention to hygiene standards and nutritional adequacy for senior citizens who may have specific dietary requirements.

This comprehensive expense coverage distinguishes the scheme from subsidy programs that provide partial financial assistance but leave beneficiaries responsible for managing actual bookings and payments. By directly arranging and paying for all services, the government eliminates financial transactions during travel that could confuse elderly pilgrims or expose them to exploitation. The only potential out-of-pocket expenses involve personal purchases like souvenirs, offerings at temples, or additional snacks beyond provided meals, allowing pilgrims to participate even if they carry minimal personal funds for the journey.

Local Transportation and Pilgrimage Site Access

Beyond long-distance travel and accommodation, the scheme covers local transportation at destination cities enabling pilgrims to visit actual pilgrimage sites comfortably. This includes bus or van transport from lodging to temples or gurudwaras, between multiple sacred locations within a city, and for sightseeing at culturally significant nearby places when time permits. Group coordinators plan efficient routes maximizing meaningful visits while respecting the physical limitations and stamina of elderly participants who cannot walk extended distances or navigate crowded public transport in unfamiliar cities.

The duration of stays at each destination balances adequate time for darshan and spiritual immersion against practical constraints of managing large-scale group travel across multiple locations. Typical trips last seven to ten days depending on the specific destination circuit, including travel days and several days at the primary pilgrimage site. Daily schedules allocate morning and evening periods for temple visits during auspicious timings while ensuring midday rest periods when heat and fatigue peak. This thoughtful planning transforms pilgrimage from exhausting ordeals into manageable spiritual experiences where seniors can actually absorb the sacred atmosphere rather than merely surviving a rushed, uncomfortable journey.

Understanding the Antyodaya SARAL Portal System

The Antyodaya SARAL Portal at saralharyana.gov.in serves as Haryana's unified digital platform for delivering over five hundred government services and schemes across forty-four departments. SARAL stands for "Simple And Responsive Administration for all Locations" and aligns with Digital India's vision of faceless, paperless, and cashless service delivery. For the Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana specifically, the portal handles registration, application submission, document uploads, tracking application status, and receiving selection notifications, creating a complete digital workflow from initial interest through final confirmation.

The portal integrates with the Parivar Pehchan Patra database enabling automatic population of family details when applicants enter their PPP family ID during registration. This integration reduces manual data entry, minimizes errors, and speeds verification since demographic and income information already validated in PPP transfers directly into pilgrimage applications. The system also connects with the Haryana Right to Service Act provisions, establishing timelines for application processing and grievance redressal mechanisms if officials fail to act within stipulated periods, providing accountability that purely offline systems often lack.

Step-by-Step Online Registration and Application

New users must first register on the SARAL portal by clicking the "New User? Register Here" link on the homepage, which opens a registration form requesting email ID, mobile number, full name, and creating login credentials. After entering these details, the system sends OTP verification codes to both email and mobile number, which must be entered to confirm registration. Once verified, users receive login credentials enabling access to the complete portal including the Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana application form listed among available schemes.

Logged-in users search for "Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana" or "Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana" in the scheme list, selecting it to open the application form. The form requests comprehensive information including personal details, PPP family ID, income information, pilgrimage site preference, train ticket class confirmation, and uploads of required documents. Critical fields include the applicant's Aadhaar number, income certificate details, domicile proof, caste certificate if applicable, and current mobile number for receiving SMS updates about application status. Careful verification of all entered information before submission prevents rejection due to data mismatches discovered during official verification.

Offline Application Through Saral Kendra for Non-Digital Users

Recognizing that many senior citizens lack internet access or digital literacy, the scheme accommodates offline applications through Antyodaya Saral Kendras and Saral Kendras located at district, tehsil, and subdivision levels across Haryana. These physical centers employ trained staff who assist applicants in filling forms, uploading documents, and submitting applications on their behalf. This hybrid approach ensures digital benefits reach even technology-hesitant elderly populations who feel more comfortable interacting with human staff at government offices than navigating websites independently.

Applicants visiting Saral Kendras should bring all required original documents plus photocopies for verification and upload. The center staff guide applicants through the same information fields required in online forms, entering data into the system while ensuring accuracy. After submission, applicants receive printed acknowledgment receipts with application reference numbers used for tracking status. This assisted application model proves particularly valuable for illiterate or semi-literate seniors whose age makes them primary scheme beneficiaries but whose limited education creates barriers to independent digital application, thus preventing digital divides from excluding those most needing support.

Mandatory Identity and Age Proof Documents

Every application must include valid Aadhaar card copies serving as primary identity proof accepted across Indian government schemes. The Aadhaar number links to demographic databases enabling officials to verify name, age, address, and photograph authenticity. Beyond Aadhaar, applicants should provide documents explicitly proving age eligibility, such as birth certificates, school leaving certificates, or government-issued identity cards displaying date of birth. Since age qualification depends on completing sixty years by January 1st of the application year, the age proof document's date of birth must clearly establish this eligibility without ambiguity.

Some applicants born before rigorous birth registration systems may lack formal birth certificates, relying instead on school records or affidavits. In such cases, consistency across all submitted documents becomes critical. If the Aadhaar card shows one birth date while school certificates indicate another, verification officials face confusion potentially delaying or rejecting applications. Applicants should resolve such discrepancies through proper channels before applying, possibly obtaining correction certificates or using the most recently issued government document as the standard reference across all application materials.

Income Certificate and Parivar Pehchan Patra

The income certificate proving annual family earnings remain below rupees one lakh eighty thousand represents perhaps the most scrutinized document since it establishes eligibility under the scheme's economic means testing. This certificate must be issued by competent revenue authorities such as Tehsildar or Sub-Divisional Magistrate based on the family's disclosed income from all sources. The certificate should be recent, ideally not exceeding six months from application date, as older certificates may not reflect current economic circumstances if family income situations changed through job changes, business fluctuations, or pension adjustments.

The Parivar Pehchan Patra family ID becomes increasingly essential as Haryana integrates this database across schemes. The PPP contains validated family composition, income details, and socioeconomic information verified during its creation, allowing scheme administrators to cross-reference application claims against existing PPP records. Discrepancies between income claimed in pilgrimage applications and income recorded in PPP databases trigger additional verification or possible rejection. Families should ensure their PPP information remains updated and accurate, treating it as the master record feeding into various scheme applications rather than maintaining inconsistent data across different government programs.

Additional Supporting Documents and Caste Certificates

Beyond core identity, age, and income documents, applicants must provide current contact information including active mobile numbers for receiving SMS updates about application status, selection results, and travel schedule notifications. Email addresses, while less critical given senior citizens' variable email usage, help receive detailed communications and document confirmations. Domicile certificates or equivalent Haryana residency proofs establish geographic eligibility, though PPP registration already implies Haryana residence for most registered families.

Caste certificates become relevant if applicable, though the scheme does not explicitly reserve quotas for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, or other backward classes unlike some government programs. However, submitting caste certificates when available provides complete documentation and may influence selection if any preference systems exist during draw processes when applications exceed capacity. The philosophy remains inclusive across all categories provided income and age eligibility are met, distinguishing this welfare scheme from reservation-based programs where caste documentation plays determinative roles in selection outcomes.

Once Every Three Years Benefit Limitation

Unlike one-time-only schemes, Haryana's teerth yatra permits repeat participation but restricts frequency to once every three years, creating a rotating opportunity system where beneficiaries can undertake multiple pilgrimages across their elderly years rather than enjoying only a single lifetime journey. This three-year gap balances two competing objectives: allowing meaningful repeat spiritual experiences for those who greatly value pilgrimage, while preventing the same individuals from consuming limited resources repeatedly when many first-time aspirants remain unsupported.

The three-year calculation begins from the completion of one pilgrimage, meaning someone traveling in 2024 becomes eligible again for 2027 applications. Important to note: applying for a pilgrimage but failing to actually travel due to health or personal reasons does not count as benefit utilization. Only completed pilgrimages where the individual actually undertook the journey trigger the three-year waiting period. However, if someone applies, gets selected, and then cancels without valid reasons, they may still be treated as having utilized the benefit depending on specific scheme rules, making casual applications without serious participation intent potentially costly for future eligibility.

Selection Through Computerized Draw When Applications Exceed Capacity

When verified eligible applications for a particular pilgrimage batch remain within available seat capacity, all qualified applicants receive selection operating essentially on a first-come-first-served basis. However, popular destinations during auspicious seasons often attract applications exceeding group capacity, triggering computerized lottery draws to select beneficiaries fairly without human bias or favoritism. This random selection mechanism ensures transparent allocation where every eligible applicant faces equal probability regardless of connections, wealth, or influence.

The lottery system means meeting all eligibility criteria does not guarantee selection for any specific batch. Unsuccessful lottery applicants remain eligible to reapply for subsequent batches to the same or different destinations, facing fresh selection processes each time. This reality requires applicants to maintain flexibility regarding travel timing and possibly destination choices, recognizing that insistence on one specific date or location might result in extended waits if that particular batch consistently faces oversubscription while other options have available seats.

Post-Selection Notification and Travel Confirmation

Selected beneficiaries receive official notification through multiple channels including SMS to registered mobile numbers, email to provided addresses, and updates viewable when logging into the SARAL portal using application reference numbers. These notifications specify departure dates, reporting locations, required preparations, items to bring, and health precautions. Adequate advance notice allows beneficiaries to make personal arrangements, inform family members, complete any medical consultations, and mentally prepare for the journey.

After receiving selection notification, beneficiaries must confirm their participation through prescribed channels within stipulated deadlines, typically by responding via SARAL portal or contacting designated officials. Failure to confirm participation may result in slot reallocation to waiting list candidates or lottery reserve selections. This confirmation requirement ensures that selected individuals genuinely intend to travel rather than blocking seats through casual interest, maximizing actual participation rates and preventing wasted allocations where selected beneficiaries ultimately fail to join departure groups without proper cancellation notice that would allow replacement selections.

Why Annual Scheme Updates Matter for Applicants

Government schemes evolve continuously based on implementation experience, budgetary revisions, and changing policy priorities. The Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana, having launched only in late 2023, remains particularly dynamic as administrators refine procedures based on early batch feedback and operational learnings. Details like covered destinations, selection processes, documentation requirements, or even eligibility parameters could see adjustments through official amendments or circulars issued by implementing departments.

Relying on outdated information risks application errors, missed opportunities, or disqualification based on superseded guidelines. For instance, the addition of Maha Kumbh as a covered destination represents a recent expansion that applicants tracking only 2023 launch announcements might miss. Similarly, if the income ceiling adjusts upward in response to inflation or if new destinations get added based on public demand, only applicants monitoring current notifications benefit from these expansions. This dynamic nature makes staying informed an ongoing responsibility rather than a one-time research task.

Official Sources for Current Scheme Information

The primary authoritative source remains the SARAL portal itself at saralharyana.gov.in, where scheme descriptions, application forms, and eligibility criteria reflect current official parameters. The portal's notification section publishes important updates, schedule changes, or procedural modifications that applicants should review regularly if planning near-future applications. Additionally, the official Haryana Government website at haryana.gov.in hosts press releases, policy documents, and departmental announcements providing context and details beyond basic scheme descriptions.

District-level social welfare offices and Saral Kendras serve as accessible information points where staff can clarify current guidelines, help interpret official notifications, and address specific eligibility questions. Local newspapers in Haryana frequently publish government advertisements announcing upcoming pilgrimage batches, application deadlines, and any significant scheme modifications. Community organizations serving senior citizens also often disseminate scheme information through meetings, newsletters, or social media groups, creating informal but valuable information networks supplementing official channels.

Tracking Application Status and Addressing Grievances

After submitting applications through SARAL portal, applicants can track status by logging into their accounts and viewing application dashboards showing current processing stages. The portal indicates whether applications remain under verification, have been selected, face pending document requirements, or got rejected with reasons. This transparency allows applicants to take corrective actions promptly when issues arise rather than waiting indefinitely without knowing problems exist.

If applications face unexplained delays beyond reasonable processing timeframes or if applicants believe they received incorrect rejections despite meeting eligibility criteria, formal grievance mechanisms exist through the portal's complaint lodging systems. The Haryana Right to Service Act integration ensures defined timelines for application processing and provides appeal options when officials fail to meet these standards. Applicants can escalate unresolved grievances through hierarchical redressal authorities ultimately reaching the Haryana Right to Service Commission if lower-level officials do not provide satisfactory responses, creating accountability that protects applicant rights against bureaucratic lethargy or arbitrary decisions.

1. What is the Haryana Varanasi and Amritsar Yatra Scheme?

It is a Haryana Government welfare scheme that organizes pilgrimage trips to Varanasi and Amritsar for eligible residents of the state.

2. Who implements this yatra scheme in Haryana?

The scheme is implemented by the Government of Haryana through the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment with support from district administrations.

3. Which places are covered under this pilgrimage scheme?

The scheme covers pilgrimage to Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and Amritsar in Punjab.

4. Is this scheme mainly for senior citizens?

Yes, the scheme primarily targets senior citizens, although other eligible categories may be included as per official guidelines.

5. What is the minimum age required to apply?

Generally, applicants must be 60 years or above, but the exact age criteria depend on the notification issued for that year.

6. Is Haryana domicile compulsory for this scheme?

Yes, applicants must be permanent residents of Haryana and provide valid domicile or residence proof.

7. Does the scheme provide cash assistance?

No, the scheme does not provide cash. It offers organized travel, accommodation, meals, and basic facilities.

8. Are travel and accommodation fully covered?

Yes, transportation, accommodation, meals, and basic arrangements are covered as part of the government-organized yatra.

9. Is there any application fee?

No, there is no application fee for applying under this scheme.

10. How can one apply for the yatra?

Applications are submitted through district social welfare offices or through online or offline modes as notified by the government.

11. When does the application process usually start?

The application process generally starts when the Haryana Government issues an official notification for the yatra.

12. Can husband and wife apply together?

Yes, both can apply individually if they meet the eligibility criteria and submit separate applications.

13. Are women eligible for this yatra scheme?

Yes, both men and women who meet the eligibility conditions can apply.

14. Is medical fitness required for participation?

Yes, applicants should be medically fit to undertake long-distance travel, especially senior citizens.

15. What documents are required to apply?

Applicants generally need domicile proof, age proof, identity proof, and other documents as specified in the notification.

16. How are beneficiaries selected?

Beneficiaries are selected after document verification, and a draw of lots may be conducted if applications exceed available seats.

17. Is the benefit available more than once?

No, the yatra benefit is usually available only once in a lifetime.

18. How many people are selected each year?

The number of beneficiaries depends on government planning and budget and is announced in the official notification.

19. Will there be group travel arrangements?

Yes, pilgrims travel in organized groups under the supervision of government-appointed coordinators.

20. Are meals provided during the journey?

Yes, meals are arranged as part of the pilgrimage package.

21. Is medical support available during the yatra?

Basic medical support and assistance are usually provided during the journey.

22. What happens if someone is selected but cannot travel?

If a selected beneficiary is unable to travel, their seat may be allotted to another eligible applicant.

23. Can applications be rejected?

Yes, applications can be rejected if eligibility conditions are not met or documents are incomplete or incorrect.

24. How will selected applicants be informed?

Selected applicants are informed through district offices or official communication channels.

25. Where can applicants get official updates about the scheme?

Official updates are issued through Haryana Government notifications and district-level announcements.