Maharashtra adds popular minority pilgrimage sites under Teerth Darshan scheme

Ahead of the Assembly polls in the state, the Maharashtra government has added 110 minority religious sites, including 15 from across the country and 95 from within the state, to facilitate free pilgrimages for senior citizens under the Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana.
The pilgrimage destinations include prominent religious sites of Muslim, Parsi, Buddhist and Jain communities.
As per the government order, Haji Ali Dargah and Haji Malang Dargah Ramtek Jain Temple, Iranshah Atash Behram and Velankanni, among others found their place in the Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana.
In addition, Gautama Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana place in Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar, Gautam Buddha Sadhana Bhoomi in Bihar, Sarnath in UP, BR Ambedkar’s birthplace in Nagpur have also been added to the list.
Speaking on the issue, Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh termed it an “election gimmick” to win the Assembly polls.
“When the scheme was launched in July, I immediately asked the government why not a single holy place of Muslims in the state has been included in this scheme. I wrote a letter to the Chief Minister demanding to include three holy places in the scheme. I am happy that these three holy places of Muslims have been included,” Shaikh said.
“Maharashtra is the land of saints. Sufi saints have many dargahs in the state, which are also visited by Hindus. Notable dargahs like Haji Malang and Haji Ali are in the state. Despite such a rich history, the government didn’t include them in the first list which shows their true nature,” the Samajwadi Party MLA added.
Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana was launched by the Maharashtra government in July 2024, with139 religious sites, such as Vaishno Devi temple, Amarnath Caves, Golden Temple in Amritsar, Char Dham Yatra, Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Somnath Temple in Dwarka, and Jagannath Puri in Odisha.
Eligible individuals with an annual income of up to Rs 2.5 lakh are entitled to Rs 30,000 to cover travel, accommodation, and food expenses. Applicants above the age of 75 are allowed to take along a spouse or attendant.
At the state level, the commissioner of the social justice department will act as the nodal officer for the scheme.