Malkangiri, 16/1/26: A bus carrying pilgrims from Malkangiri district left for Rayagada today to experience the divine experience of spiritual journey under Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Journey Scheme organized by Odisha Government Tourism Department. On the instructions of District Collector Somesh Kumar Upadhyay, Additional District Collector Rajsab Vedbar Pradhan flagged off the pilgrim bus while District Social Security Officer Nirmal Dharua, District Information and Public Relations Officer Pramila Majhi and Sub-District Social Security Officer Rajeev Pujari were present and greeted the pilgrims. The District Collector wished the senior citizens a pleasant journey. Pilgrims from Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Nuapada and Kalahandi districts will travel to Varanasi and Ayodhya from Rayagada railway station. All 75 pilgrims and 2 allied officers will reach Rayagada today and will leave for Varanasi-Ayodhya tomorrow. All kinds of measures have been taken by the tourism department for a pleasant journey of the passengers. All the passengers have been sent to their destinations after health check today. This Pilgrim Launch Program has been organized under the close supervision of the District Information and Public Relations Officer. Harekrishna Kirtnia and Ranjan Mohanty from District Information and Public Relations Department assisted in this. Sub-Divisional Social Security Officer Rajeev Pujari and Sathya Vivas provided the necessary technical support for the trip. District Revenue Officer Rabindra Naik and sports teacher Babita Mohanty are traveling as escort officers to help all pilgrims.