Rajasthan Launches First Air Pilgrimage to Pashupatinath Temple for Seniors

Jaipur, July 20. The Rajasthan government officially inaugurated its senior citizen pilgrimage scheme for 2026 on Monday, marking a significant milestone as the first group of travelers departed for Nepal. Devsthan Minister Joraram Kumawat flagged off the contingent of 43 elderly citizens from a hotel in the Sindhi Camp area of Jaipur. The group traveled by bus to New Delhi, from where they will board a flight to Kathmandu to seek blessings at the revered Pashupatinath temple.

Minister Kumawat emphasized that the government is committed to making the lives of the elderly more comfortable and spiritually fulfilling. He highlighted that the current administration, under Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, has introduced several improvements to the pilgrimage program. Unlike previous arrangements, the government now ensures that pilgrims are accommodated in three-star hotels rather than dharmashalas. Furthermore, the duration of the stay in Kathmandu has been extended from one day to two, allowing participants to visit additional sacred sites such as the Budhanilkantha Temple and the Boudhanath Stupa.

To ensure the safety and convenience of the travelers, each group is accompanied by a government escort and a representative from IRCTC. The first batch of pilgrims is scheduled to return to Jaipur on July 22, 2026. This initiative is part of a broader plan that aims to facilitate air travel for 2,860 senior citizens by September 22, 2026. The schedule includes specific allocations for various districts, with 382 pilgrims from Bikaner and Churu expected to complete their journey by July 28.

The government has noted that the air pilgrimage operations will pause during October and November to accommodate the festive season, including Diwali. The remaining pilgrims are slated to resume their journeys starting in December. The launch event in Jaipur was attended by several dignitaries, including BJP leader Sunil Kumawat, IRCTC Additional General Manager Krishna Kumar Singh, and various assistant commissioners from the Devsthan Department. The atmosphere at the departure site was filled with devotion as the first group of seniors embarked on their long-awaited spiritual journey.