Tamil Nadu invites applications for religious pilgrimage financial aid
The state government will provide ₹10,000 per person to 120 beneficiaries from the Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh communities.
The Tamil Nadu government has invited applications from members of the Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh communities for financial assistance to visit religious shrines in India and abroad, according to the Deccan Chronicle.
Under this welfare scheme, the state will grant ₹10,000 per person to a total of 120 beneficiaries. This includes 50 Buddhists, 50 Jains, and 20 Sikhs, with an overall allocation of ₹12 lakh.
Eligible Buddhist destinations include Bodh Gaya and Rajgir-Vaishali in Bihar, Kushinagar and Sarnath Temple in Uttar Pradesh, and Lumbini in Nepal. Jain pilgrims may visit sites such as Dilwara Temple, Ranakpur, and Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, Shikharji in Jharkhand, Palitana in Gujarat, Pawapuri in Bihar, and Shravanabelagola in Karnataka.
Sikh pilgrims can visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Sri Damdama Sahib in Punjab, Sri Patna Sahib in Bihar, and Sri Hazur Sahib in Maharashtra. Recognised sites in Pakistan include Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Gurdwara Sacha Sauda, Gurdwara Panja Sahib, and Gurdwara Dehra Sahib.
Applicants can get free forms from District Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Offices or download them from www.bcmbcmw.tn.gov.in. Completed forms must be submitted to the Commissioner, Directorate of Minorities Welfare in Chennai by January 31, 2027.