We would like to convey our heartfelt appreciation of the pragmatic decision of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Puratchi Thalaivi Dr. J. Jayalalitha Amma, to allow grants for Hindu pilgrims traveling to the sacred destinations of Kailash-Manasarovar and Muktidham.
Yatra (undertaking holy pilgrimage) is a tradition followed from ancient times in all religions. Every pious Hindu strives to undertake a yatra to holy places like Kailasha-Manasarovar and Muktinath at least once in their lifetime and attain liberation. But this remains a distant dream for the financially challenged.
The Tamil Nadu government has truly set a trend by endowing pilgrims with financial aid to cover their travel expenses for the holy pilgrimage.We congratulate the Hon’ble Tamil Nadu Chief Minister for this pragmatic decision made with a truly far-reaching vision.
As the the 293rd pontiff of the Madurai Adheenam, the world’s most ancient Hindu organization, and the founder of Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam, with 12 million devotees in 151 countries, we convey our deepest thanks to the Chief Minister in appreciation of this decision.
We also welcome the Annadaan being performed in temples and all such religious and social service activities of the Tamil Nadu Govt.
* * * * *
(This letter of appreciation is in connection with the decision made by Hon’ble Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha Amma to allow grants for Hindu pilgrims traveling to the sacred destinations of Kailasha-Manasarovar and Muktidham. The decision was announced on 14 May in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. A total of 500 Hindu pilgrims (250 each to Kailash-Manasarovar and Muktinath) will be given grants of Rs.40,000 each (for Kailasha-Manasarovar pilgrims) and Rs. 10,000 each (for Muktinath pilgrims), which will cover 40% of their total travel costs to either destination. The selection of deserving applicants will be made by the Indian External Affairs Ministry.
Kailash-Manasarovar and Muktinath are much-revered Hindu pilgrimage centers, but out of reach for many financially challenged Hindus, as they lie outside the borders of present-day India, in China and Nepal respectively. The Hon’ble Tamil Nadu CM’s welcome decision will allow many more Hindus to make the trip to their dream spiritual destinations in future.)
Related links: https://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article3421674.ece?css=print
Tamil Nadu CM’s decision to give grants for Hindu pilgrims: Letter of appreciation from H.H. Paramahamsa Nithyananda