Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Jul 7: Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant on Monday announced that the state government has identified land near Pandharpur to construct a dedicated Goa Bhavan for pilgrims undertaking the annual Wari pilgrimage from Goa.

Speaking at an event for Warkaris, Sawant said the proposed facility will be built around two to three kilometres from the Vitthal temple in Pandharpur, with the process of acquiring the land expected to be completed soon.

The chief minister said the accommodation facility, which could be named either Goa Pandharpur Bhavan or Goa Vitthal Rukumai Bhavan, is expected to be ready before next year's pilgrimage.

"We will ensure the building is completed before the next Wari. I hope to return and inaugurate it when you reach Pandharpur next year," Sawant said.

He also announced that the state government intends to enhance assistance for pilgrims from next year. Financial support for Warkari groups was introduced for the first time during this year's pilgrimage, and the government hopes more devotees will benefit from the scheme in the future.

According to Sawant, nearly 3,500 Warkaris are currently registered with the state government, although the actual number of pilgrims travelling to Pandharpur is estimated to be around 5,000, as many devotees complete only part of the journey on foot and use vehicles for the remaining distance.

The chief minister said the government had voluntarily decided to assist pilgrims by covering their return travel expenses, even though no formal demand had been made by the Warkaris. At present, assistance ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh is being provided to registered pilgrimage groups, with 35 groups currently enrolled under the scheme.

Sawant expressed satisfaction over the increasing participation of younger devotees, noting that many people in the 30–40 age group are now undertaking the traditional foot pilgrimage.

He said the growing involvement of the younger generation reflects the continued strength of the centuries-old tradition despite changing lifestyles and the digital age.

The Chief Minister urged smaller pilgrimage groups to join larger registered groups so they could become eligible for government assistance, explaining that the initiative is aimed at preserving Goa's long-standing spiritual heritage rather than offering financial incentives.

Emphasising the physical and spiritual commitment required for the journey, Sawant described the 14-day foot pilgrimage as a remarkable achievement and said the government hopes participation will continue to rise in the coming years.

He also announced plans to revive the Dev Darshan Yatra scheme, which enables pilgrims from Goa to visit various religious destinations across the country. The renewed programme, he said, will give special priority to senior citizens.