Symposium on ‘Good management of Temples’ at the Vaishvik Hindu Rashtra Mahotsav

Temples should be centers of Dharma education! – Sadguru Nilesh Singbal, Dharmapracharak Sant, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti

Today, religious conversion of Hindus is rampant due to lack of Dharma education. Hindu daughters are falling prey to ‘Love Jihad’. Hence Dharma education to Hindus becomes imperative, and this can be achieved well through temples. Hence, temples should become centers to disseminate education on Dharma for Hindus asserted Sadguru Nilesh Singbal, Dharmapracharak Sant, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti.

A symposium on ‘Good management of Temples’ was organised on the second day of the Vaishvik Hindu Rashtra Mahotsav. Sadguru Nilesh Singbal was addressing the audience in this session. Mahant Deepak Goswami (Founder and President, Gyanam Foundation, Jaipur, Rajasthan), Adv. Abhishek Bhagat (Chief, Shri Jagdamba Tuljabhavani Mandir, Nagar, Maharashtra), Mr Madan Mohan Upadhyaya (Founder, Mission Sanatan, Raipur, Chhattisgarh) were the other participants. Mr Anand Jakhotia (State Coordinator, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan) moderated the session.

Sadguru Nilesh Singbal added, “Temples have higher divinity (Sattvikata) due to them being the abode of Deities. In such a place, every action is expected to be ideally managed in the manner expected by the Deity. Temples should be centers where Divine service, interests of Dharma and the devout are protected. Temples should have Annachatra (food distribution centers) and dharamshalas (lodging areas) for devotees. The priests and trustees are not overlords of the temples but the link between the Deities and the devotees. So they should have the spirit of servitude. To oversee the management of temples one has to be sattvik. For that, temple trustees should be devotees of God.”

 Temples should have dialogue, not disputes – Adv. Abhishek Bhagat (Chief, Shri Jagdamba Tuljabhavani Mandir, Nagar, Maharashtra)

The arrangement, surroundings and atmosphere of the temples should be pleasant. Therefore, positive waves will be projected from there and the devotees will benefit from them. We are trying to maintain the sanctity of the temple. There should be dialogue in temples, not arguments.

 Trustees, priests, and devotees should get training! – Madan Mohan Upadhyaya (Founder, Mission Sanatan, Raipur, Chhattisgarh)

Priests should get appropriate remuneration. They should also be provided proper training. Only then can they properly serve the Deities. If the priests are good, devotees will flock to the temple in large numbers. So the trustees, priests and devotees need to be trained.

 Temples should have facilities for training in Shastra and Shaastra! – Mahant Deepak Goswami (Founder and President, Gyanam Foundation, Jaipur, Rajasthan)

Temples are bound to function well when the trustees and priests give up their selfishness. We started distribution of good quality prasad to devotees. After that the number of devotees increased. The VIP culture of paying money for Darshan should be ended. Temples should have facilities for teaching Shastra and Shaastra. This will help in protecting the nation. Hindu Rashtra will materialise only if Dharma is strengthened. So temples must become centers of Dharma education.