Temples evolving as eco, cultural hubs: Naidu

Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday said temples across the country were not just spiritual centres but were evolving as economic and cultural hubs, with temple-related activities in India generating revenue of ₹6 lakh crore every year.

- Srinivasa Rao Apparasu

HYDERABAD:

Addressing the second edition of the International Temples Convention & Expo (ITCX) 2025 in Tirupati, Naidu outlined his vision of a self-sustaining, technology-driven temple ecosystem, blending faith with modern governance. He also emphasised the significance of temple heritage, technological integration, and economic development in temple ecosystems.

Calling ITCX the "Maha Kumbh of temples," the chief minister said: "Such temple conventions would help shape discussions on temple administration, economic contribution, and cultural preservation."

He advocated integration of artificial intelligence, digital tools, and fintech solutions to enhance temple administration.

He called for efficient fund management, AI-powered surveillance, RFID-based tokens for crowd control, and digital governance to ensure seamless temple operations. The Andhra Pradesh government's initiatives include an IVRS-based feedback system and mechanized sanitation for maintaining temple hygiene.

"While India is at the forefront of technological advancements, faith remains irreplaceable," he said.

He recalled that Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founder-president and former chief minister late NT Rama Rao had initiated Annadanam scheme in Tirumala temple, which has since grown into a corpus of ₹2,000 crore.