Bhubaneswar, Jan 17 (Reporter) The Odisha government has made arrangements for 8,000 senior citizens of the state to visit pilgrimage sites such as Shirdi, Nashik, Kolkata, South Kalimantan, Kamakhya, Ayodhya, and Varanasi in ten phases this year. The pilgrimage train will operate in two phases, starting from Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, Sambalpur, Rayagada, and Balasore stations. On Friday, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi flagged off the pilgrimage special train at Bhubaneswar Railway station and performed a traditional puja. He also walked around the train and extended his best wishes to the pilgrims for a successful journey. Approximately 800 senior citizens from Khurda, Puri, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, and Dhenkanal districts began their journey from Bhubaneswar railway station on Friday to visit the renowned pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra, including Shirdi and Nashik. Majhi urged the senior citizens to complete their pilgrimage in a healthy and safe manner, earn spiritual merit, and return home happily. The Odisha government launched the Senior Citizens Pilgrimage Scheme to fulfill the spiritual and religious aspirations of economically disadvantaged and below-poverty-line senior citizens in the state. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that in the past, temple traditions were central to cultural exchanges. Temples, he noted, were places where heritage, art, culture, literature, and economy were integrated. He added that every Indian aspires to visit pilgrimage sites and temples. He highlighted that special officers, guides, and medical teams have been arranged to accompany the pilgrims throughout the journey, ensuring safe and convenient travel. The government has also facilitated the movement of all pilgrims from their villages to the respective railway stations where the journey begins. Additionally, arrangements have been made for their accommodation, food, and drinking water during the trip, as well as transportation from the railway stations to the pilgrimage sites. Majhi appealed to the pilgrims to remain cautious during the journey and to follow the guidance of the officers and guides deployed for their assistance. Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Women and Child Development, Mission Shakti, and Tourism, Parvathi Parida, stated that the Senior Citizens Pilgrimage Scheme is a unique program promoting cultural tourism in the state...////...