THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

CHHATRAPUR, FEBRUARY 13, 2026

 “Mahaprabhu’s spiritual aura and energy are unparalleled,” said Odisha Commerce & Transport, Mines & Steel Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena while flagging off pilgrimage buses under the Shri Jagannath Darshan Yojana at Chhatrapur in Ganjam district on Friday, marking the rollout of the ambitious scheme in Ganjam district.

Describing Lord Jagannath as the spiritual nucleus of Odia identity and consciousness, the Minister said that darshan of Mahaprabhu, a dip in the Mahodadhi and partaking of Mahaprasad remain the greatest honour for every Odia. He noted that the State Government has introduced the Shri Jagannath Darshan Yojana to ensure that elderly devotees, especially those facing financial and physical constraints, can undertake a smooth and dignified pilgrimage to Shrikhetra.

The scheme was launched simultaneously in five districts across Odisha, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurating the programme at Nabarangpur. In Chhatrapur, Minister Jena flagged off two air-conditioned buses carrying 74 senior citizens from different parts of Ganjam district for darshan at the Jagannath Temple. Escort officers and paramedical staff accompanied the pilgrims to ensure their safety and comfort.

Highlighting the welfare focus of the government, the Minister said the Chief Minister, being a “man of the soil,” understands the aspirations of common people and is rolling out people-centric initiatives. He recalled that the Kanya Vivah Yojana had recently been launched from the shrine of Maa Taratarini, followed now by the Jagannath Darshan Yojana.

In an evocative address, Jena referred to mythological episodes and devotional folklore to illustrate the divine power of Mahaprabhu, stating that despite having no visible limbs or eyelids, Lord Jagannath’s spiritual force and emotional pull remain beyond imagination. He urged the pilgrims to pray for the welfare of their families, villages, Ganjam district, the State and the government.

In the first phase, 540 senior citizens from five districts have been facilitated for darshan, including 74 from Ganjam. Around 5,000 eligible beneficiaries will undertake the pilgrimage during the current year, while more than 1.2 lakh elderly devotees are expected to benefit over the next four years. The scheme covers senior citizens aged 60 to 75 years from economically weaker sections and widows up to 75 years, ensuring free travel, accommodation at Brindabati Nivas in Puri, Mahaprasad, four vegetarian meals daily and health check-ups.

Five beneficiaries were provided pilgrimage kits on the occasion and expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister and the State Government for enabling them to fulfil their long-cherished wish of having darshan of Mahaprabhu.

The event also featured devotional songs and traditional animal-mask dance performances by artists from Binchanapalli, adding a cultural fervour to the launch ceremony attended by local MLAs, senior district officials and representatives of the tourism and transport departments.

Officials said thousands of registered senior citizens from Ganjam will be covered in the coming phases, ensuring that age, distance or economic hardship no longer stand in the way of experiencing the divine presence of Mahaprabhu at Shrikhetra.