- Temple Connect distributed a special edition handbook, authored by Dr. Suresh Haware across 600 temples in Goa
- The book deep dives into various aspects of advanced temple management practices like resource optimization, infrastructure development, community engagement and so on
- This initiative contributes to the greater objective of positioning Goa as a premier spiritual destination
Goa, November 2024: Temple Connect, founded by Shri Giresh Kulkarni, had established a formidable partnership through an MoU with Goa’s Department of Tourism which is bolstered through its efforts by distributing “Temple Management – A Complete Handbook on Systematic Temple Management” to 600 temples across Goa. This initiative aims to further empower better spiritual experiences and temple trotting, along with showcasing the culture and heritage of Goa to the global audience in a new light. The distribution of this special edition book is a critical part of this broader initiative, to equip temples with smart management techniques, digitisation and showcasing them as both cultural and economic pillars.
Authored by Dr. Suresh Haware (former Chairman of the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi), the book offers a comprehensive framework for temple management. It covers a wide range of topics, including resource optimization, infrastructure development, operational transparency, community engagement, restoration and preservation, and also incorporating new-age technologies. By addressing the administrative challenges that sacred sites face today, the book provides a modern approach to help temples function more efficiently – ensuring they remain sustainable in the long run.
Apart from this, Temple Connect also plans to include workshops and training sessions to introduce temple managers to advanced scientific management principles. These sessions, along with greater convenience and access to crucial information, will enable temple administrators to streamline operations. The exposure temples will receive through initiatives like the International Temples Convention and Expo (ITCx), will create new opportunities for knowledge sharing and collaboration – fostering greater connectivity and larger participation.
Shri Giresh Kulkarni, Founder of Temple Connect, said, “Temples hold immense cultural, spiritual, and economic significance, and through our collaboration with the Goa Tourism Board, we are ensuring they can harness their full potential as vibrant community centres. The strategies outlined in this handbook provide a clear roadmap for temple management practices, incorporating holistic approaches. Recognizing the pressing need for skilled manpower to manage these sacred sites, we plan to conduct workshops for temple managers – which will, in turn, lay the groundwork for a well-rounded experience for visitors.”
The distribution of these books comes at a crucial time as the Goa Tourism Board, led by Minister Rohan A. Khaunte, is positioning Goa as a premier spiritual destination. This endeavour to strengthen temple management ties into the state’s broader tourism strategy, which aims to attract not only traditional tourists but also spiritual seekers from across the globe. By improving the overall management and visitor experience at temples, the initiative is set to increase footfalls, attracting more devotees and tourists. This influx will, in turn, support local businesses, infrastructure, and cultural preservation efforts.
Temple Connect, together with the Goa Tourism Board, is paving the way for a brighter, well-managed, and economically prosperous future for Goa’s temples. Going forward, Temple Connect will launch many such initiatives, anticipating that the ripple effect of these improvements will foster a more robust spiritual tourism ecosystem in Goa.
Giresh Kulkarni- Founder Temple Connect & ITCX