Lucknow, July 5 -- Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday directed officials to launch two new pilgrimage assistance schemes -- the Bauddha (Buddhist) Teertha Darshan Yojana and the 'Panch Takht Yatra Yojana' -- to facilitate spiritual travel for Buddhist and Sikh devotees, the state government said in a statement.

Chairing a high-level meeting, Adityanath said pilgrimages are a means of spiritual upliftment and social harmony, and it is the government's responsibility to assist citizens in reaching places associated with their faith.

Under both proposed schemes, a minimum of Rs.10,000 per person will be provided as financial assistance.

"Under these schemes, financial assistance will be provided to ensure easy access to sacred des...