Notable global heads of temple ecosystems convened from July 22-24, as renowned South Indian temples joined the conversation to advocate for standardisation, organisation, and even digitisation of devotee experiences at this historic symposium of ideas
1098 delegates from 32 countries and over 250 renowned temples partook in the world’s first-of-its-kind gathering to support and uplift organisation, management and administration of temple ecosystems. The event featured 40 sessions, including 10 keynotes addresses, 10 Temple Talks (aka landmark stories) and over 15 insightful feature sessions and panel discussions. Additionally, the convention served as a remarkable launch pad for over 5 new-age innovative products and digitisation services catering to the unique temple ecosystem and its related universe.
National Highlights:
❖ The event was inaugurated by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat along with ITCX founders Prasad Lad and Giresh Kulkarni
❖ The event was attended by Ashwini Kumar Choubey (Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution of India), Dr. Sudhanshu Trivedi (National Spokesperson of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Member of Rajya Sabha), Sunil Verma (IAS, CEO of Kashi Vishwanath Mandir), Vishal Singh (I.A.S., Municipal Commissioner, Ayodhya), and Milind Parande (Secretary General, Vishwa Hindu Parishad) amongst many others
❖ One-of-its-kind world stage launches India’s first Smart Temples Mission
❖ Delegates from over 250 temples represented leaders across Sikhism, Jainism, Hinduism and Buddhism
❖ 32 countries joined over 40 sessions, both virtually via live stream and in person
❖ Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended support to the event and its purpose
South India Highlights:
❖ Over 80 temples attended from the South, including Sri Chathurmukha Brahma Lingeswara Swamy Vari Devasthanam (AP), Sri Hampi Virupaksha Vidyaranya MahaSamsthanam (Karnataka), Peringottukara Devasthanam Vishnumaya temple (Kerala) and Meenakshi Sundarareswarar (Tamil Nadu)
❖ Temple Talks by Shri. A.V. Dharma Reddy (Executive Officer, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams) on the workings and initiatives taken up by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams and Shri Alagu Alagappan (Founder & Chairman, Blossom Public School, Thanjavur) on temples as an embodiment of peace, harmony and discipline
❖ Special addresses by Shri Selvam Alaghhappan (Executive Director, Chettinad Heritage & Wellness Resorts), So.So.Meenakshi Sundaram (Retd-IAS) and Tamilisai Soundararajan (Governor of Telangana)
❖ Shri C Alagappan (President, Thiruvannamalai Nagarathar Upaiyathararkal Kuzhu), Shri Dikshitar (Head Priest, Chidambaram Temple), Author and activist Rahul Easwar, and Advocate Mahesh Raje of Virupaksha Mandir were part of the deep dive panel into the ‘Policies & Systems of Temples in South India’. The panel also addressed ASI’s takeover of living temples and the necessity for legal education within the temple community
❖ Special address on empowering the temple ecosystem was presented by Shri Gaurang Das Prabhu Ji, Trustee and Administrative Director for Bhaktivedanta Research Centre (BRC), Kolkata and Co-President, ISKCON
❖ Other insightful sessions included Metal forms in Temples and Significance of Metals in Yatra Mantra and Tantra Practice in Bharatiya traditions, culture and heritage
Varanasi: The World’s first-of-its-kind International Temples Convention and Expo 2023 (ITCX) held from July 22-24 rounded up last evening at the Rudraksh Convention Centre in Varanasi with a soulful and fitting celebratory end.
Over three days, 1098 delegates from 32 countries converged on equal footing to participate and present on the knowledge-sharing and networking platform that featured talks, sessions and case studies on organization, management and administration of temple ecosystems.
The ITCX 2023 Impact
The three-day event paved the way for a new era of best practices for temple management with a new-age and modernized approach. Temple Connect was at the epicenter of stirring a revolution in the organization, management and administration of temple ecosystems to benefit the end consumer aka the pilgrim. This reboot synergy held the rapt attention of leaders and dignitaries at the helm of temple management.
A brainchild of Giresh Kulkarni, founder of Temple Connect and ITCX 2023, his team spent the last six months visiting temples, collating management pain points and creating in-depth research to empower the event. The result managed to instill a new-age elevation of knowledge learning by bringing the entire temple fraternity together to interact, share and connect through engaging on-stage sessions and off-stage networking.
An incredible line-up of expert talks, discussions and presentations on sustainable temple management and development practices were conducted by a galaxy of like-minded dignitaries and willingly absorbed by the attendees.
DAY 1: Opening the floor to enthralling sessions
On the first day, the monumental convention was inaugurated by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat along with founders of the convention, Giresh Kulkarni (also founder of Temple Connect) and Prasad Lad, (Chairman, International Temples Convention & Expo 2023 and Member Of Maharashtra Legislative Council).
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s letter of support for ITCX spoke volumes about its potential and significance to the global temple ecosystem. His words of encouragement inspired participants to embrace the vision of ‘Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi’.
The convention began with a Temple Talk by Shri. A.V. Dharma Reddy (Executive Officer, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams), sharing insights on managing one of the country’s richest and most visited temples. Special addresses followed by Shri Sudhanshu Trivedi (National Spokesperson, Bharatiya Janata Party and Member of Rajya Sabha), Smt. Tamilisai Soundararajan (Governor of Telangana & Lt. Governor of Puducherry), Shri Kovilur Swamiji, and Raghuvulu Yakali (National General Secretary, Vishwa Hindu Parishad). Shri Sunil Verma (I.A.S., CEO, Kashi Vishwanath Mandir) then presented an enriching temple talk on the ‘Kashi-Vishwanath Temple Corridor Project’ in Varanasi, focusing on enhancing pilgrims’ temple town experience.
Day 2: Temple case studies to launch pad for innovation solutions
On Day 2, the ICTX 2023 witnessed innovative launches, best practices of temple security and insights into diverse temple operations, including a case study on Ayodhya Ram Mandir by Shri Vishal Singh, IAS Municipal Commissioner, Temple Talk on Jain Temples conducted by Shri Naimish Shah, Seth Anandji Kalyanji Pedh and another one on Pandharpur was given by Shri Gahininath Maharaj Ausekar (Co-Chairman, Vitthal-Rukmini Mandir Samiti). Shri Gaurang Das Prabhuji of ISKCON gave a special address on Empowering the Temple Ecosystem. Shri Meenakshi Sunderam (Retd IAS) also shared her takeaways in a Temple Talk on the Traditional Management of Tamil Nadu Temples.
Key launches:
The highlight launch by Temple Connect was the introduction of Smart Temples Mission, which takes inspiration from the Smart City missions led by governments to improve a city. It offers to conduct audits and initiatives to empower even the temple-dependent ecosystem.
Taking cue from langars at gurudwaras, the ITCX also launched a food distribution initiative called Annadan initiative by Temple Connect.
Lastly, the convention also served as a platform for a knowledge-sharing open house on temple tourism and its improvement, envisioned to culminate into a white paper to present to higher authorities and key decision makers to manifest deep-rooted change that is backed by verified data.
DAY 3: End of convention marked beginning of change
On the last day, after an overview address by Giresh Kulkarni, the day’s session began with a Keynote Address by Shri Milind Parande, Secretary General, Vishwa Hindu Parishad. He spoke about the power of temple ecosystems and an overview of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir’s transformation. Sayali Lad, Founder & CEO, Volksara spearheaded a featured Session on Cyber Surveillance and Technology in the Temple Ecosystem followed by a Temple Talk on Temple Infrastructure by Shri Vishram Deo.
In the afternoon, Keynote Address on Temple Administration & Management, Temples of Rajasthan was led by IAS Pragya Kewalramani.
Temple attendance as per geography
● The West region list consisted of 100 temples from Goa, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
● From South Indian states, 80 temples across AP, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
● Around13 temples from Central India.
● 12 temples from the North, 3 from Rajasthan, 10 from Uttar Pradesh, 2 from Uttarakhand.
● 12 from the East region, including Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
● Global participation of 15 countries including Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Australia, Canada, Kenya, Thailand and UK.