ELECTIONS '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ARCHIVES

It takes Rs 600 to meet the maker

Madras now offers quick access to god.

Sorry, we know that's a 'clever' statement. Here's the explanation:

The god in question is Lord Venkateswara of Tirumala. And the access promised is just that: physical access to his temple.

In view of the large number of Lord Venkateswara devotees, the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation now propose to launch a day-long air-conditioned bus tour to Tirumala. The charge is pretty steep -- Rs 600 per head, inclusive of lunch and tickets for 'instant darshan' - but so what?

Talking to newspersons, Tourism Minister Suresh Rajan said the tour would be operated four days a week.

More of such tours would soon be launched to Vaishnava sacred places beyond Madurai, and to Puttaparthi, he added.

He said the TTDC has bought two 18-seaters, two 10-seaters and a luxury bus. Two more luxury buses would be purchased shortly.

UNI

Yeh Hai India

Tell us what you think of this report