Annadhanam free meal scheme in temples
· Chennai
Jayalalithaa launched free daily meals for devotees in 63 temples, funded by endowments from donors; it was later expanded to hundreds of temples.
In March 2002 the Jayalalithaa government launched the Annadhanam scheme, under which temples under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department serve a free meal after the noon puja. It began in 63 temples and was extended to 63 more in August 2002, with donors able to create endowments whose interest pays for the meals. By 2011 it covered 362 temples and had been extended to churches and mosques, and in September 2011 Jayalalithaa's new government extended it to 106 more temples.
