Patna: The Bihar government has approved the Sindhu Darshan Teerth Yatra Financial Assistance Scheme 2026, under which eligible residents undertaking the pilgrimage to the Sindhu (Indus) River in Ladakh will receive financial support from the state. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
Under the scheme, pilgrims will be reimbursed 50% of their travel expenses or up to Rs 20,000 per person, whichever is lower, after completing the yatra. The initiative aims to ease the financial burden on devotees and encourage greater participation in the pilgrimage.
The Sindhu Darshan Yatra is held annually on the banks of the Indus River in Ladakh and is regarded as a celebration of India’s civilisational and cultural heritage. The river, which originates in Tibet and flows through Ladakh before entering Pakistan, holds historical and spiritual significance for many Indians.
Officials said the scheme would enable more people from Bihar to undertake the pilgrimage by making it more affordable. Detailed guidelines regarding eligibility criteria, the application process and the reimbursement mechanism are expected to be issued by the state’s tourism department.
The Cabinet’s approval comes as the Bihar government continues to roll out welfare initiatives aimed at promoting religious tourism and preserving cultural traditions.
The financial assistance will be available only to eligible residents of Bihar, although the government has yet to announce the conditions applicants will have to fulfil to claim the benefit.
