‘Annadhanam’ to be served to devotees all through day at Azhagarkoil temple

'Annadhanam' scheme in Tamil Nadu serves free food to devotees at temples, expanding to 11 major temples statewide.

‘Annadhanam’ (free food) would be served to devotees and general public all through the day at the SundarajaPerumnal Temple at Azhagarkoil near Madurai.

Launching it through video conference from Chennai, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin said that serving ‘annadhanam’ all through the day has been extended to 11 major temples, including Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple in Palani and Subramania Swamy Temple in Tiruchendur. Besides, ‘annadhanam’ is also being served at one time in a day at 760 other temples in the State provided ‘annadhanam’ one time a day.

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister P. Sekar Babu said that 523 temples that served food in the State had obtained BHOG (Blissful Hygienic Offering to God) certificate from (food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Tamil Nadu was a forerunner in the country in this aspect. The government had earmarked ₹110 crore for the ‘annadhanam’ scheme under which food is served to 3.36 crore devotees in a year.

After the formal launch of the scheme, Minister for Commercial Taxes and Registration P. Moorthy, Madurai Collector M.S. Sangeetha and senior officials from the HR and CE department served food to the devotees at the Azhagarkoil temple. They also partook the food along with the devotees.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Moorthy said the Chief Minister had also launched the ‘annadhanam’ all through the day for the devotees visiting Subramania Swamy Temple at Marudhamalai near Coimbatore.

Noon meal scheme was launched in educational institutions run by the HR and CE department in Palani, and CM breakfast scheme in two schools and four colleges in Palani, benefiting 5,775 students. From now on, the children would be served noon meal too.