The Tamil Nadu government's HR&CE department is introducing a scheme to offer senior citizens a free tour of the Arupadai Veedu temples. This initiative will take seniors to religious sites. Accommodation, meals, and essential facilities will be provided at no cost.
The Tamil Nadu government is placing greater emphasis on the HR&CE department. During the DMK's tenure, approximately 6,853 acres of land valued at Rs 6,703 crore, belonging to 805 temples, have been recovered. Notably, since the DMK government took office, Kumbabhishekams have been held for thousands of temples, and Annadhanam schemes are also being actively implemented.
A total of 81 new marriage halls have been built at a cost of Rs 321 crore, alongside the construction of 121 Annadhanam buildings for Rs 86.97 crore. In addition, spiritual tours to various temples are being organised, including free trips to Rameswaram and Kashi. These initiatives provide an opportunity for the elderly, particularly those interested in spirituality, to engage in special worship.
Free trip to Amman and Perumal temples
During the month of Aadi, senior citizens were offered free visits to Amman temples. It is believed that the town will flourish if the Goddess is bathed during the Aadi month donation festival, with porridge offered and celebrations held in grand style, featuring songs and concerts. To honour this tradition, arrangements were made for senior citizens to visit Amman temples across various districts at no cost.
Following this, during the month of Purattasi, a trip to the renowned Vaishnava temples across various districts is being organised for the Perumal temples in September and October. One thousand devotees aged between 60 and 70, who are unable to visit the temples and seek darshan of God, will be taken free of charge.
Arupadai Murugan Temple Tour
In a significant initiative, senior citizens will now be taken free of charge to the six abodes of Lord Muruga, the Tamil deity: Tirupparankundram, Tiruchendur, Palani, Swamimalai, Tiruttani, and Pazhamudircholai. According to an announcement from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, the fifth phase of the free Arupadai Veedu spiritual journey for senior citizens will commence on October 6, 2024, starting from the Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Tiruttani. Additionally, a grant is provided each year for those undertaking a spiritual journey to Manasarovar and Muktinath.
During the month of Aadi, spiritual tours are being organised in collaboration with the Department of Tourism to Amman temples, as well as to Vaishnava shrines during the month of Purattasi. Furthermore, senior citizens are being taken on a free spiritual journey from Rameswaram to Kashi.
Free trip for 1000 devotees
Arrangements have been made to take 1,000 devotees aged between 60 and 70 to visit the six abodes of Lord Muruga, revered as the Tamil God. These locations, Tirupparankundram, Tiruchendur, Palani, Swamimalai, Tiruttani, and Pazhamudircholai, will allow the devotees to experience both visits and darshan simultaneously.
Applications for this initiative were opened earlier, allowing senior citizens to benefit from free travel under the scheme. The first phase of the journey commenced from Kandakottam, followed by the second phase from Chennai, the third from Tiruchendur, and the fourth from Swamimalai. To date, 813 senior citizens have participated in this spiritual journey to the temples.
Journey on October 6
The HR&CE department has announced that the fifth phase of the Arupadai Veedu spiritual journey will commence from Tiruttani on October, 6 benefiting 200 senior citizens from the Cuddalore, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, and Salem zones. Participants in this spiritual journey will receive travel bags containing essentials such as blankets, towels, bath soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and combs, in addition to accommodation and meal provisions.
Additionally, Executive Officers, temple staff, and a medical team will accompany the senior citizens on the Arupadai Murugan Temple Tour. This journey begins in Tiruttani and concludes at Swamimalai, after visiting Palani, Tirupparankundram, Pazhamudircholai, and Tiruchendur. Officials from the HR&CE department have stated that an announcement for the next phase of this scheme will be made soon.