TN Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin Launches Special Temple Blessing Scheme for Senior Couples

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Monday (10.11.2025) launched a special temple-blessing scheme for senior couples aged 70 and above. The event was held at the Arulmigu Parthasarathy Swamy Temple in Thiruvallikeni, Chennai, where he personally blessed 200 elderly couples.

This initiative is part of a state-wide program announced in the 2025–26 Tamil Nadu Budget, under the guidance of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. The government had earlier announced that 2,000 spiritually inclined senior couples, selected from 20 major temple clusters under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, would receive special blessings and temple-sponsored offerings.

Scheme Benefits

Under this scheme, 2,000 senior couples across Tamil Nadu will receive a special puja along with a gift package worth ₹2,500.
The gift set includes:

• Dhoti and saree
• Fruits and sweets
• Turmeric, kumkum
• Mirror and other traditional items
• A framed photo of the deity

Deputy CM’s Address

In his speech, Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin expressed immense happiness at participating in what he called a “deeply memorable and emotional event.” He said:

• The scheme is a fulfilment of the Budget announcement made by Minister Sekarbabu.
• In Chennai alone, 831 couples—including 200 from Thiruvallikeni—received special blessings on Monday.
• He described the event as unique, saying it felt as though he was “officiating the wedding rituals of many grandfathers and grandmothers.”
• He noted that in traditional weddings, elders bless young couples, but on this day elderly couples exchanged garlands with the Deputy CM’s participation—a moment he said he would cherish forever.
• He praised Minister Sekarbabu for being “the No.1 Minister in the Charitable Endowments Department,” just as CM Stalin is hailed as India’s No.1 Chief Minister.

Udhayanidhi added that although he was not scheduled to speak, he was compelled by affection for the elders present, stating that their blessings were invaluable.

Dignitaries Present

The event was attended by:

• HR&CE Minister P.K. Sekarbabu
• Chennai Mayor R. Priya
• Heads of various religious mutts including Kunnakkudi Adheenam, Sriperumbudur Jeer, and others
• Senior HR&CE officials including Commissioner P.N. Sridhar, Additional Secretary Dr. K. Manivasan
• Corporation and government officials

Inaugurations by Deputy CM

Following the ceremony, Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin also inaugurated:

• New quarters for temple priests, officials, and supervisors at Thiruvallikeni (cost: ₹2.06 crore)
• Staff housing facilities at Parthasarathy Swamy Temple (cost: ₹1.35 crore)
  He also handed over the related allotment orders to beneficiaries.

Issued by:
Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Chennai-9