The temples of Goa have long offered their visitors a sanctuary from the mayhem and despondency of the world. They are very much part of Goa’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage, thus attracting scholars and history buffs to examine the details of their historical evolution and architecture.
Now, as Goa gears up to be promoted as a premier spiritual destination by the Goa Tourism Board, led by Tourism Minister Rohan A Khaunte, Temple Connect has established a formidable partnership through an MoU signed with Goa’s Department of Tourism.
Over 600 books on temple management have been distributed to temples all across the State. This is to empower better spiritual experiences and temple trotting along with showcasing the culture and heritage of Goa to the global audience in a new light.
Authored by Dr Suresh Haware, former chairman of the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi, the book Temple Management – A Complete Handbook on Systematic Temple Management’s aim to help strengthen temple management, ties into the State’s broader tourism strategy.
The book Temple Management – A Complete Handbook on Systematic Temple Management’s aim to help strengthen temple management, ties into the State’s broader tourism strategy.
The goal is 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 visitor footfall, attracting more devotees and tourists. This influx will, in turn, support local businesses, infrastructure and cultural preservation efforts.
In a chat with Gomantak Times Digital, Haware says, “There are three main aspects which are normally overlooked. Temples should be organised. There should be transparency in the working of temples, donations, banking, finances, etc. There has to be discipline in the temple. This is most important when we deal with devotees.”
“Temples should be devotee oriented and service oriented, like running educational and health services. I have mentioned this in the book,” Harware points out.
The book offers a comprehensive framework for temple management. It covers a wide range of topics, including resource optimisation, infrastructure development, operational transparency, community engagement, restoration and preservation, and also incorporating new-age technologies. Haware says there are many ways one can add technology in temples.
Temples should be devotee oriented and service oriented, like running educational and health services. I have mentioned this in the book.Dr Suresh Haware, former chairman of the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi
“There are a number of services based on technology. Those could be implemented in temples. For example, computerised devotee darshan queue system, online darshan, donation, mobile app of the temple, CCTV surveillance system, computerised safety and security systems for crowd management, crowd counting and much more,” he adds.
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. The temples need to equip themselves with smart management techniques and digitisation, showcasing them as both cultural and economic pillars.
Giresh Kulkarni, the founder of Temple Connect, also plans to include workshops and training sessions to introduce temple managers to advanced scientific management principles.
“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. With such initiatives, the ripple effect of these improvements will foster a more robust spiritual tourism ecosystem in Goa,” says Kulkarni.
With plans to convert Goa into a spiritual hub, there are ways to use technology to help economical advancements.