The Tamil Nadu Government has officially opened applications for its annual pilgrimage subsidy scheme aimed at supporting members of the Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh communities. The initiative offers financial assistance of ₹10,000 per person to a total of 120 pilgrims, amounting to an annual budget of ₹12 lakh.
Eligibility and Quota
Under this scheme:
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50 Buddhists
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50 Jains
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20 Sikhs
will be selected each year to undertake pilgrimages to holy sites across India and Nepal.
The assistance will be disbursed directly to beneficiaries via ECS after completion of the journey, with the scheme effective for pilgrimages starting July 1, 2025.
Holy Sites Covered
For Buddhists:
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Bodh Gaya, Bihar
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Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh
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Sarnath, Varanasi
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Rajgir and Vaishali, Bihar
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Lumbini, Nepal
For Jains:
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Dilwara Temple, Rajasthan
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Ranakpur Jain Temple, Rajasthan
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Jaisalmer Jain Temples, Rajasthan
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Shikharji, Jharkhand
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Palitana, Gujarat
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Pawapuri Jain Temple, Bihar
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Shravanabelagola, Karnataka
For Sikhs:
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Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), Amritsar
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Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Punjab
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Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Punjab
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Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib (Patna Sahib), Bihar
-
Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, Maharashtra
International Pilgrimage Provision
Though the primary focus is on domestic pilgrimages, Sikh applicants may also include places of heritage importance located in Pakistan, including:
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Gurdwara Nankana Sahib
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Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Hasan Abdal
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Gurdwara Dehra Sahib, Lahore
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Gurdwara Chacha Chaudhary, Mandi Sugarcane
-
Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib (subject to permission and travel regulations)
Application Details
Interested individuals can collect application forms free of cost from:
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District Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Offices
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District Minorities Welfare Offices located at the District Administrative Offices
All completed forms must be submitted before the official cutoff date (to be announced shortly).
Subsidies will be granted only to those who complete their pilgrimage after July 1, 2025.
Government’s Objective
This scheme is part of Tamil Nadu’s inclusive welfare initiatives, aimed at promoting religious harmony, cultural awareness, and access to sacred heritage for historically underrepresented communities. It reflects the government’s ongoing focus on social justice and minority empowerment.
Important Notes:
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Beneficiaries are selected annually
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No online applications; physical forms only
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ECS transfer ensures direct financial transparency
