The West Bengal government will provide ₹5 lakh each to 60 Rath Yatra committees, introduce devotee assistance centres
July 13, 2026: The BJP government in West Bengal has announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh each for 60 Rath Yatra committees across the state. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the grant would help restore and renovate centuries-old wooden chariots used during the annual festivals. He added that more Rath Yatra committees would be included in the scheme in the future, marking the first time the state government has extended such support to these religious celebrations.
Adhikari also announced that helicopters would shower flower petals on devotees participating in the 30-km Shravan Yatra at Tarakeshwar in Hooghly district this year. The government will establish 75 Seva Kendras at major Rath Yatra fair locations, offering essential services to pilgrims. In addition, assistance booths, police kiosks, medical camps, and refreshment centres will be set up along key Shravan Mela routes, including Tarakeshwar, Jalpesh in Jalpaiguri, and a route near the Indo-Bhutan border.
Highlighting the cultural significance of Bengal’s temple festivals, Adhikari noted that iconic events such as the Mahesh Rath Yatra, which is over 600 years old, and the Mahishadal Rath Yatra, around 250 years old, are among the state’s most historic celebrations. The announcement comes as the government also continues its broader religious tourism initiatives, including the proposed Bengal Shaktipeeth Circuit aimed at preserving prominent temples and improving pilgrimage infrastructure.