Bhubaneswar, Sept. 2 -- The first Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme train of the 2026-27 financial year was flagged off from Bhubaneswar New Railway Station on Wednesday, carrying 775 senior citizens and 25 escort officials to Ayodhya and Varanasi. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida and Kendrapara MLA Ganeswar Behera flagged off the special train.

The pilgrims left Bhubaneswar today and are scheduled to return on September 7. The pilgrimage is completely free of cost, with food arrangements made for the journey. Registration and fingerprint scanning were also completed before departure, while the passengers underwent health screening a day earlier.

During the five-day journey, the senior citizens will visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya an...