Temple economy can drive regional development, says CUK Vice-Chancellor
The Central University of Karnataka hosted an international conference to discuss the economic impact of temples on regional development and tourism. Experts highlighted how major religious sites act as engines for employment, hospitality, and infrastructure growth.
Why it matters
It explores the intersection of religious tourism and public policy, providing a framework for how cultural institutions can drive sustainable economic development.
The Central University of Karnataka (CUK), in collaboration with the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), on Wednesday commenced a three-day international conference on “Temple Economy, Tourism and Public Policy: Governance, Livelihood and Sustainable Regional Development”.
The experts participated in the event which highlighted the significant contribution of temples to economic growth, employment generation and social welfare.
Inaugurating the conference, CUK Vice-Chancellor Battu Sathyanarayana said Indian temples are not merely centres of faith but also important engines of economic growth, employment, tourism and hospitality development. He observed that major temples contribute to the economy by supporting transportation, accommodation, food services, local businesses and several allied sectors.
Referring to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) as an example, he said large pilgrimage centres generate extensive economic activity by attracting millions of devotees, thereby creating employment opportunities and contributing significantly to the Gross Domestic Product through direct and indirect economic activities.
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