Trio of Chief Ministers from Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Goa grace the stage together at the ‘Mahakumbh of Temples’ – ITCX 2025

• World’s Largest Temple Convention ITCX 2025 Opens with Grand Ceremony in Tirupati

• Maharashtra CM Fadnavis, Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu, and Goa CM Pramod Sawant lead distinguished gathering

• PM Modi hails event as celebration of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ in special message

 Monday, 17 February, 2025: The inauguration ceremony of International Temples Convention & Expo 2025 held at Asha Convention Center, Tirupati, on 17 February saw a house full of dignitaries, press, devotees, and partners on a mission to revive the temple heritage of India.

The three-day event that has been organised by Shri Prasad Lad, Chairman of International Temples Convention & Expo and Chief WHIP of Maharashtra Legislative Council, along with Mr Giresh Kulkarni, Founder ITCX and Temple Connect in association with the Anthyodaya Pratishthan, witnessed attendance from:

• Shri Chandrababu Naidu– Honourable Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh
• Shri Devendra Fadnavis– Honourable Chief Minister of Maharashtra
• Dr. Pramod Sawant – Honourable Chief Minister of Goa
• Shri Shripad Naik– Central Minister & Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy of India
• Shri Acharya Govind Dev Giriji Maharaj– Spiritual leader and Scholar, Treasurer of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust, and VP of Mathura Krishna Janmabhoomi Trust
• Shri C R Mukunda– Joint General Secretary, RSS
• Anagani Satya Prasad– Hon’ble Minister, Andhra Pradesh
• Shri Ashish Shelar, Minister of Technology and Cultural Affairs, Maharashtra
• Shri Vishwajit Rane, Minister of Health of Goa, TCP, Forest, Urban Development, Women & Child Development
• Smt. Meghna Bordikar– State Minister of Maharashtra
• Shri Rohan Khaunte– Minister for Tourism, Information Technology, Electronics & Communications and Printing & Stationery, Goa,
• Shri Pravin Darekar– Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council,
• Shri B.R Naidu– Chairman, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD),
• Smt Mrs. Neeta Lad – Principal Advisor, International Temples Convention and Expo 2025 & Founder Anthyodaya Pratishthan.

The evening began with Yuva Naad Dhol Tasha, the Sound of Youth—the Dhol Tasha Pathak from Panvel, Navi Mumbai, consisting of a vibrant bunch of young boys and girls, whose thumping dhol beats spread positivity across the auditorium. The ‘Shri Hari Govinda’ chant reverberated through the crowd. It not only echoed the music, but enlivened the long standing traditions of Maharashtra.

To mark the commencement of the world’s biggest celebration of temples, the Pujari Maharaj conducted the ritual of Ganesh Sthapana with Ashirvachana, and the Ganpati Atharva Shirsham, infusing a spiritual energy into the auditorium. The dignitaries sought blessings from the almighty and the Pujari Maharaj with Deep Prajwalam or lighting of the lamp.

As the sacred flames illuminated the gathering, the event’s spiritual significance was further elevated by a special letter from the country’s highest office. Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his thoughts about ITCX 2025 – the Mahakumbh of Temples, via a heartfelt note of appreciation. In the letter, he stated how the International Temples Convention and Expo 2025 is a phenomenal initiative that brings together thousands of temple trustees, administrators, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds such as Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism to help promote new learnings, adopt best practices and tackle key challenges in temple management. “ITCX reflects the inherent unity in diversity of temples globally, and is in a way, a celebration of the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – visualisation of the entire Earth as one family.”, emphasized the Prime Minister in his message. “The 21st century belongs to knowledge-driven societies. It is particularly in this context that the efforts of Temple Connect to document, digitise and share this rich heritage acquire greater significance.” he expressed.

 Parampujya Sarsanghachalak Dr. Mohan ji Bhagwat, RSS, also shared a virtual message praising ITCX 2025 by Temple Connect for its effort in uniting temples from across the world emphasizing on its remarkable progress following its debut edition in 2023. He said, “During earlier times, temples used to be the cultural, educational, spiritual, economic and social centres of Indian society. Today, too, a boundless faith exists towards temples by all who follow the Sanatan traditions — and this has been proven time and again through countless examples. This faith is also the reason why even in today’s day and age, the work of temples serving as cultural centres is being fulfilled in some parts.”
“Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah,” cited Shri Prasad Lad from the scriptures. “If we protect dharma, then dharma will also protect us. It’s a speciality of the Sanatan Dharma – which isn’t limited to worship but is also a symbol of duty, truth and service. The overall economy of temples in India is about 5.5 to 6 lakh crore rupees; and if this is further strengthened, then a significant contribution can be made to social welfare. Keeping in mind the larger picture of making India a developed, strong and self-reliant nation by 2047, if the economy of temples and places of worship is linked to the country’s economy, it can play a vital role in nation-building,” he said.

“The overwhelming response, participation from dignitaries, and insightful discussions reaffirmed the necessity of this convention”, said Shri Giresh Kulkarni, Founder of  International Temples Convention & Expo 2025 and Temple Connect, underlining how the first-ever international forum dedicated to temple governance had sparked critical conversations. “This year we chose Tirupati or shall I say Tirupati chose us. Hosting ITCX 2025 here is a deliberate and strategic move, and our ambition has grown manifold.”

 Day 2 of ITCX will feature discussions on transforming temples through modern innovation, including the Smart Temples Mission, governmental oversight of temple-based charitable activities, and strategies for holistic societal development. The conference will explore how emerging technologies can enhance temple operations while examining ways to strengthen the temple-based economy and its broader impact on communities.

Important dignitaries expected on Day 2 include Shri Milind Parande (General Secretary Vishva Hindu Parishad), Shri K. Annamalai (State President, BJP, Tamil Nadu), Shri Suresh Haware (Former Chairman of Saibaba Sansthan Trust Shirdi), Shri Rohan Khaunte (Goa Tourism minister) and Shri Yudhishtir Govinda Dasji (Director of Communications, ISKCON India).

HIGHLIGHT QUOTES FROM THE SPEECHES

 Shri Chandrababu Naidu ji, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Guest of Honour’s speech was filled with support for development of technology and India’s economic reform. “ITCX held its first conference in Varanasi. Naturally they had to come here, to Tirupati, the devotional city. In the mid-90s, I spoke about technology. Every family, we believed, should have one IT professional. Now, it has upgraded to an AI professional. According to a survey, AI utilisation in India is 65 percent, compared to 31 per cent globally. We are far ahead of the adoption of technology,” he said, tying it to the emphasis ITCX 2025 lays on  AI integration, fintech solutions, security and crowd control for temples. “India is a young country and our youth is our demographic dividend. I am very confident India will become by 2029 the third largest economy in the world. By 2047, Indians globally will be the most influential community. Serving God is one, serving human beings is another.  If we do both together that is a great dharma that is inherited for India,” signed off Naidu.

Shri Devendra Fadnavis ji, Maharashtra Chief Minister Guest of Honour, praised the International Temple Convention and Expo 2025 stating, “I want to congratulate the team behind the Temple Connect initiative which is helping temples contribute to propel the economy because a study states that 55% of our citizens are opting for spiritual tourism.” During his address, Devendra Fadnavis talked about how this congregation came together on the 300th birth anniversary of Ahilya Bai Holkar. He emphasised on how, after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, she was the true beacon of hope who revitalised the temples destroyed by the foreign forces. He also talked about how important time it is to be a Sanatani, and how the Dharma reshaped our values, and bound Bharat together despite the diversity. “Temple Connect has created a community based on the principles of Sanatana Dharma, bringing all the temples together. Temples should become a centre of equality and community, and this has become a global movement which will guide the Sanatana Dharma in a new direction.”

 In his speech, Dr. Pramod Sawant ji, Chief Minister of Goa, spoke about how Hindu kings have significantly contributed to the Sanatan Dharma. He elaborated on this by pointing out how despite foreign forces such as the Mughals, Portuguese, and the Dutch ruling over India, it was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who worked towards reestablishing temples. It is thanks to them that we get the honour to celebrate this Mahakumbh of Temples in Tirupati while the Mahakumbh mela is happening in the north. He said, “While every state may have a different language and culture, we are all connected through our temples.”

Shri Ashish Shelar, Cultural Affairs Minister, Maharashtra said, “In Kalyug, to walk the path of Mukti, Bhakti is above all. The medium of bhakti is the idol and the protection of that idol is in the hands of the temple. In my vision, mandir and Shaktipeeth, if anyone has taken the initiative to purify them it is the nine saints of NavNaths. ITCX is historic because it takes the Navnath Marg. They have taken the baton ahead to purify our mandirs and Shaktipeeth for the first time, in an organised way.”

Shri C R Mukunda Ji, Sah-Sarkaryavah, RSS, presented some important aspects of why initiatives like Temple Connect are significant in sustaining and strengthening the faith and devotion. “There are many financially stronger temple institutions in India, but in every village, there are temples which are not financially and administratively strong. Many of these big temples can assist these smaller ones to keep the devotion and faith alive amongst the temples which lack resources. There are many temples like Tirupati, and one in Karnataka, which are helping in the renovation and resurrection of these smaller temples. These temples can help in propagation of Hindu faith and Sanatani values and culture amongst the villages.”