The state government will bear Rs 40,000 of the Rs one lakh estimated per individual for air travel to Mansarovar in China and Rs 10,000 towards those visiting Muktinath, one of the 108 Vaishnavite shrines which is located in Nepal.
A total of 500 beneficiaries, 250 each for either destination, would be covered under the scheme and the Chief Minister has approved Rs 1.25 crore towards this purpose for the year 2012-13, a state government release here said.
Selection of pilgrims would be done by Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR&CE) department from October 15 by issuing print advertisements. The department would select the beneficiaries under relevant guidelines, it said.
Jayalalithaa had announced subsidising pilgrimage of Christians travelling to Jerusalem and Hindus to these destinations on the lines of the Haj subsidy for Muslims.