“The towns in India, that host the 12 Jyotirlingas, also have immense potential to be recognized as spiritual tourism centers and attract tourists from worldwide” said Dr Dinesh Soni, founder of Indian.Temples Research & Media Services, while speaking at 2nd Global Spiritual Tourism Conclave at Ujjain. The event was inaugurated by Dr Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and GajendraSingh Shekhwat, Union minister for Culture and Tourism.
While presenting a case study on the topic “Guardians of Sacred Axis : The Jyotirlinga circuit”, he highlighted the difference between religious tourism and spiritual tourism. “There are various significant factors that make Jyotirlinga shrines great spiritual tourism centers. With different shrines situated in different parts of the country and in a different geological and environmental situation, the shrines provide wider reach and tourism opportunities. Shiva’s association with tantric and agamic sects make the sites spiritually very significant. The Jyortilingas teach us to go beyond physical world and look at the Jyoti within. Shiva’s association with wellness and meditation also provides significance to the shrines. The various ritualistic and cultural aspects of these shrines are also significant. Each of these shrines have unique rituals that happen in the temples. These ritualistic diversity also adds appeal to the spiritual tourism aspect of the shrines.”
He further highlighted the roadbloacks that exist in the path of development of spiritual tourism at the Jyotirlinga places. He talked about the disconnect from spirituality and heritage that exists in today’s world, the unplanned development and constructions happening at the sites and the stress these activities are putting on the ecological balance. He also emphasized on the inconsistent and inadequate digital presence; and lack of proactiveness in communication by the temple managements and administrative bodies.
Talking about the roadmap ahead towards establishing the Jyotirlinga shrines as spiritual tourism centers, Dr Dinesh Soni suggested establishing a “National Jyotrilinga Management Board”, that would work in collaboration with all the temple management bodies, with the goal of effective infrastructure development, fund allocations and one stop booking solutions; while maintaining the autonomy of temple management committees. He also suggested to provide experience based tour solutions, effective documentation and preservation of heritage; ecological integration in development. He also suggested the temples to provide virtual darshans, heritage walks, 3D reconstructions of ruined monuments as part of heritage explorations.
Dr Dinesh also highlighted the roles influencers play in today’s world of communication and suggested the temple management bodies use them effectively. The same can be done by providing media kits (that include photos, videos and authentic information) for creating contents. The temples can also have an influencer registration place where the influencers can be provided basic information about the temples. Dr Dinesh also suggested temple management to provide internships and fellowships to students, in order to infuse new ideas and incorporate new technologies in the management of the temple.
The event was organized by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industries, and was attended by government officials, members of temple management boards, hospitality sector professionals, researchers and heritage & spirituality enthusiasts.
Dr Dinesh Soni