Panaji: The Goa Tourism Department’s pilgrimage Ekadasha Teertha Yatra initiative has begun with a one-day spiritual tour covering four temples, with the state tourism department offering a 50 per cent concession to senior citizens participating in the curated 11-temple circuit.
The first tour under the initiative saw 27 women visit four prominent temples in a single day as part of an organised spiritual and cultural tourism experience, the tourism department said on Tuesday.
The tour was flagged off from the Shree Mahadev Temple at Tambdi Surla (Kushavati District) and covered Shree Devkikrishna Devasthan at Marcel, Shree Mahaganapati Devasthan at Khandola, and Shree Anant Devasthan at Savoi-Verem (all in North Goa).
The initiative aims to make Goa’s spiritual and cultural heritage more accessible while encouraging visitors to explore destinations beyond the state’s conventional beach tourism.
Goa Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte said the initiative reflects the government’s vision of presenting a more holistic experience of Goa by highlighting its centuries-old traditions, historic temples, and heritage.
“As we continue to diversify Goa’s tourism offerings, such initiatives reinforce our commitment to sustainable, experience-led tourism that celebrates the soul of Goa,” Khaunte said.
Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) Chairman Kedar J. Naik said the Ekadasha Teertha Yatra had been designed to provide visitors with an organised and curated experience of the state’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
The 50 per cent concession for senior citizens is aimed at making the pilgrimage experience more affordable and inclusive, officials said.
Participants in the first tour said the initiative provided them with an opportunity to visit multiple temples in a single day and discover lesser-explored spiritual destinations in Goa.
The Ekadasha Teertha Yatra brings together 11 revered temples across the state and seeks to promote temple, cultural, and spiritual tourism alongside Goa’s established tourism offerings.
The successful completion of the first tour marks the beginning of the rollout of the initiative, with more travellers expected to participate in the spiritual circuit in the coming months.
