CM Chouhan Issues Directives for Preparing Package of More than One Teerth’s Darshan

Bhopal: Mukhya Mantri Teerth Yatra Yojana is completing its 5 years on September 3. Total 5 lakh 3 thousand persons visited different teerth places during the last 5 years. This popular scheme has been adopted by 11 states of the country. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will address a grand convention of Teerth Yatris who were benefitted under the scheme on the eve of 5thanniversary of the Yojana on September 2 at Bhopal. Chouhan reviewed the progress and future action plan of the scheme at Mantralaya today.

Principal Secretary Religious Trusts and Endowment Manoj Shrivastava, Principal Secretary to CM Ashok Varnval, Principal Secretary to CM S.K. Mishra and Senior Officers were present in the review meeting.

Convention of teerth yatris will be organized in all the districts on its successful completion of 5 years. Teerth yatris will share their experiences of yatra in these conventions. Moreover, suggestions will be obtained from them for betterment of yojana. They will also express their views on changes they experienced in life after the teerth yatra.

CM Chouhan issued instructions for preparing a new package of teerth places so that the teerth yatris could visit at least 2 or 3 teerth places while going or returning. Total 502 special trains have been put in operation till date. Around 51 thousand senior teerth yatris in 51 trains are benefitted this year. A target to run 125 special trains has been fixed for the year 2017-18. One lakh 25 thousand teerth yatris will be benefited by these trains. Chief Minister Chouhan issued directives to increase the number of trains.

New Teerth Sthals

New Teerth places have been included according to the expectations and request of the people including Kamakhya Devi, Ganga Sgar, Patna Sahib, Girnar Ji, Madurai. The teerth places of the state like Ujjain, Maihar, Ramraja Mandi- Orchha, Chitrakoot, Omkareshwar and Maheshwar are included in the scheme. Also Ravidas Dham-Varanasi and Ramdevra- Rajasthan have been included in the scheme.

Chief Minister Chouhan mentioned that in order to make the teerth yatra memorable, by preparing a group photograph should be given to him. He also gave consent for providing benefit of Teerth Yatra Yojana to the Pujaris of government Temples.

Several Facilities Given

Description of facilities like tea, breakfast, meals and water etc. being provided in the special train is mentioned in each bogie besides time. A qualitative change has been made in the meals provided to the yatris.

Early Morning Tea/Coffee and Biscuits, Breakfast –Puri Bhaji/ Cutlets with Bread/either Upma or Idli or Mendu Bada with Sanbhar, Chhole Bhature/Samosa or Kachori with Sauce either Bread Pakoda or Alu Bada/Dhokla/Pohawith Sev/Banana and Tea/ Coffee. Lunch and Dinner include Seasonal Vegetable or Paneer, Daal Fry or Kadhi Pakoda, either Parathe or Puri/Roti, Rice or Pulao, Papad, Pickle and Sweets- Evening Snacks include Tea/Coffee and Biscuits or namkeen. Beside this about 150 mili litre Badaam Milk/Kesar Milk is being given to yatris at night.

Furthermore, arrangement of snacks like Samosa, Kachori, Juice has been made at the station of origin to welcome yatris. Moreover arrangement for garlands, tilak and welcome band etc. is being made at the stations. Dholak, Manjeera, Ludo, Snake and Ladder game is being provided during the yatra for entertainment of yatris.-WTN