Chennai Sep 19 PTI The Tamil Nadu government will do away with the present system of distribution of food packets as part of the Annadanam scheme in temples to devotees and serve them in the shrines starting Monday the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment HRCE department saidThe day-long Annadanam scheme launched in Arulmigu Subramania Swamy temples in Tiruchendur and Tiruttani and the Samayapuram Arulmigu Mariyamman shrine last week has been well received HRCE Minister PK Sekar Babu saidDue to the Covid pandemic Annadanam in temples was implemented through food packets which will now be restricted only to Fridays Saturdays and Sundays the Ministers office said in a release on SundayFrom September 20 onwards Annadanam will be conducted in temples where it is being done already adhering to covid-19 protocols from Monday to Thursday and food will be served to the devotees the release said PTI SA ROH ROH
Chennai Sadagopa Ramanuja Jeeyar of Srivilliputhur Andal temple Virudhunagar district condemned the state government which has come up with a policy of appointing archakas of all castes in templesIn a statement the Jeeyar said all Thirukovils in state should function according to agama vithigal and HRCE has no right to change or bring any new rule against existing traditional practiceIts clearly indicated in the Supreme Courts ruling and its not good for the state government to derail traditional practices being maintained in templesHence the state government should scrap the policy of all caste archakas in temples and Chief Minister MK Stalin is believed to scrap such policy the Jeeyar stated
\
\
\
\
