Thiruvannathapuram: Global Citizens’ Forum (GCF), led by businessman Bhupendra Kumar Modi, is all set to develop Sree
Padmanabhaswamy Temple as a global pilgrim centre.
“It will be an attempt to free the temple from political intervention,” said B K Modi, who heads the Singapore-based GCF.
On how it plans to develop the temple into a global pilgrim centre, Modi said that a development committee will be constituted with World Hindu Federation (WHF) and action plan will be formulated with priority to security as it is the richest temple with many secret passages. The GCF will help the administrators to improve all basic infrastructure facilities at the temple.
The initiative was launched on the auspicious day of ‘Pathamudayam’ on Monday, in the presence of the Travancore royal family members Gouri Lakshmi Bayi and Gouri Parvathi Bayi, social activist Tarun Vijay and Ajay Singh of WHF.
“We held initial discussions with the royal family members and met 22 associations in this regard. The royal family members have approved our proposal,” said Modi.
“This is world’s richest temple and built on the base of 1,208 saligramams. It is an architectural marvel, yet, nobody has the vision to develop this temple as a global pilgrim centre. It requires focus and support from Hindus across the globe and we are at it,” he said.
“The fact that this temple wealth remained untouched despite the invasion of Tippu, the Portuguese and the British speaks of the temple’s spiritual virtues too and the royal family’s devotion,” said WHF vice-president Ravindra K R Berwar. On how much would be invested to develop the temple, he said it cannot be quantified at this juncture. He assured that it will be massive with the contributions from Hindus across the world.
Shankaracharya Vidyanananda Theertha of Sringeri mutt blessed the gathering during the event.
