Sambalpur: The state government has done for Dhabaleswar Bag of Jampadar village in Balangir what his children never did - take him on a pilgrimage.

Bag was among the 961 elderly people from west Odisha who left on the government-sponsored pilgrimage on Monday.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who flagged off the journey through video conferencing, wished them a successful journey in the local Sambalpuri language. " Juhar. Apanakara tirthayatra safala heu," he said.

In Sambalpur, labour and energy minister Susanta Singh and local MLA Raseswari Panigrahi were present to flag off the special train from platform No. 1 of the railway junction. A total of 37 officials including a medical team and doctor escorted the pilgrims from 10 districts.

Among the 961 pilgrims, 229 pilgrims are Sambalpur. More than 7,000 senior citizen from 10 districts had applied for the tour. The final were selected by lottery after verification. They will visit Shirdi, Nasik and Taimbekswar and return to Sambalpur on April 22, said deputy collector Sitanshu Tripathy, he said.

Special arrangements were made to receive the elderly citizens coming from different districts since Sunday. They were provided accommodation and food and guidance by the officials here. The Sambalpur railway station was colourfully decorated on the occasion. Sambalpur dance troupes welcomed the elderly citizens.

Mangasira Pande of Nuapada said: "It is my good luck that I am getting the opportunity to go pilgrimage for the first time in my life with the support of government. I am thankful to Naveen Patnaik."

Sahadeb Bhoi of Gutipali in Bargarh district said: "I am very happy that I will see Siridi baba."