Friday, December 30 2005 15:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: The 'Annadhanam' scheme, now being implemented in 180 temples in Tamil Nadu, will be extended to another 180 temples from January 14 next, Pongal day, (harvest festival), Chief Minister Jayalalithaa announced today (Dec 30, 2005).

In a statement, she said the scheme had received widespread acclaim, not only from devotees all over the state, but also from outside the state.

"Religious minded people had been demanding that the scheme be extended to many more temples in the state," she said.

"With this, 360 temples would be implementing the scheme", she added.

The scheme would become operational in six temples in Chennai, three in Tiruvallur district, 11 in Kancheepuram nine in Vellore, three in tiruvannamalai, 11 in Salem, three in Namakkal, three in Dharmpuri, three in Krishnagiri, nine in Coimbatore, 11 in Erode, 12 in Tiruchirapalli, two in Pudukottai district, three in Karur, one in Perambalur, 15 in Thanjavur, five in Tiruvarur, eight in Nagapattinam four in Cuddalore, two in Villupuram, nine in Madurai, four in Theni, six in Dindugul, seven in Sivaganga, four in Ramanathapuram,seven in Virudunagar, 15 in Tirunelveli, three in Tuticorin and one in Kanyakumari districts.