A diamond card, priced at ₹7 lakh, issued by the HR&CE Department would facilitate a family of seven to have special darshan across all major temples in Tamil Nadu for 20 years, said HR&CE officials on Saturday.
Though a G.O. to this effect was issued in 2012 during the then AIADMK regime headed by the late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, the officials said it was primarily launched to mobilise funds for the ambitious ‘annadhanam’ scheme introduced in the shrines by the State government.
Initially, major temples were given targets to popularise the scheme among the public and invite donors to opt for the scheme. However, with a change in governments, the diamond card scheme got buried, and for various reasons, the ‘annadhanam’ project did not get the expected patronage.
According to an official in the Palani Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, so far, 27 donors have taken the ‘diamond card’ since it was launched. “We are campaigning devotees to come forward voluntarily as the donations help enhance the ‘annadhanam’ project without any hindrance,” he added.
The diamond card would be issued in the name of the donor. From the date/year of issue, it would be valid for 20 years. All major shrines in the State would provide special darshan to the cardholder with a maximum of seven persons. However, there are certain clauses which include that it cannot be used during festival days in any temples. The cardholder can join the ‘annadhanam’ at the temples with the allotted persons and among others.
The diamond card scheme aims to support annadhanam (food offering) initiatives while providing devotees with convenient special darshan access across Tamil Nadu’s major temples.
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