Temples have always been an integral part of Indian society, where people would always turn up to express their feelings to God. Religious, social, and cultural programs would be held at the temples even not so long ago, signifying their role as centers for learning and other socio-economic activities. Although the multifaceted role of temples has been divided into different institutions in modern times, there has been no letup in temple visits; rather, they have increased manifold. So, temples, with their massive following, can and should play a crucial role in serving society as centers for social equality, unity, and harmony. With that mission, a new annual event called ITCX (International Temple Convention and Expo) has cropped up to introduce modern management concepts in temple management and unite all major temples worldwide, improving the pilgrims’ experience and boosting religious tourism.
“Temples are not just places of worship; they should once again become the centers of social equality, as they were in ancient times.” Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis spoke his mind on the occasion of the International Temple Convention and Expo 2025 (ITCX 2025 Tirupati), organized in the temple town of Tirupati. Taking the example of ancient Kashi (Varanasi), which used to attract scholars and students from across India and beyond as a center of learning and culture, he emphasized that the role of temples in those times was beyond just places of worship. Devendra Fadnavis has never shied away from expressing his faith in Sanatan Dharma and Hinduism. According to him, Sanatan Dharma is an eternal way of life practiced through the evolution of Indian civilization, which gave birth to Hinduism. Sanatan Dharma is deeply seated in the psyche of Indians to bind them together despite many diversities. Sanatan Dharma has always given the message of equality and inclusiveness. Devendra Fadnavis feels that temples should become centers that cultivate these values.
Religious Tourism and Economy
According to a survey, today 55% of tourism in India is based on religious tourism. From Jammu and Kashmir to Kerala-Kanyakumari and from Jagannath Puri to Girnar-Dwarka, tens of millions of people visit temples every year, flourishing the local economy and that of the respective state. This underscores the importance of temples as key economic drivers to boost hospitality, transport, and retail businesses and create employment opportunities.
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International Temple Convention: what it aims to achieve
Despite their historical eminence, big temples in India often lack proper administrative and financial management, leading to various inconveniences for pilgrims and the locality. The idea behind the International Temple Convention is to standardize best practices in temple management, bridging the gap between tradition and technology, and create a knowledge-sharing platform where temples and Hindu religious institutions in India and abroad could share information to learn, collaborate, and improve efficiency, sustainability, and devotee
experience. The Temple Convention is a structured step to introduce a modern and highly formalized system for the stability of temples and the promotion of Sanatan Dharma.
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The International Temple Convention Expo 2025 was held at Asha Conventions in Tirupati from February 17 to 19. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made a special appearance at this international conference and presented a speech highlighting Hindutva, Sanatan Dharma, and the importance of our temples. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, and Union Minister Shripad Naik were present at the event. The conference was organized to harmonize modern and traditional methods of administration and management of the famous Hindu temples in India and many other countries in the world. In 2023, ITCX had its first conference in Varanasi. This time, it was the second occurrence of the conference, organized in Tirupati. Several experts, priests, scholars, temple managers, and representatives of about 1581 religious organizations and 389 international temples from 58 countries, participated in this conference. More than 111 eminent speakers spoke in the seminars held during the ITCX 2025 Tirupati and guided the attendees through workshops and knowledge seminars. An exhibition showcasing a large number of items was also organized on the occasion of the conference.