Indore, February 22 Temple management will be offered as a subject in Madhya Pradesh's universities to promote religious tourism and strengthen the economy, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters here, Yadav said universities will offer courses that cover religious tourism, as well as the financial and administrative management of temples, including security.
"We are integrating temple management as a subject with university education. We have decided to offer academic courses on temple management," he said.
Yadav said Samrat Vikramaditya University has taken the lead by offering diploma and postgraduate courses in temple management, under which students will receive theoretical and practical training from experts.
"Temples have always been centres of faith, devotion, and belief for us. We are trying to understand how proper temple management can help energize the economy," he said.
He said that religious corridors are being developed at 13 pilgrimage sites in the state, following the model of Ujjain's Shri Mahakal Lok.
Yadav also said that the state government has decided to remove fibre statues from the Shri Mahakal Lok complex and replace them with stone and metal idols.
"These idols, based on the country's ancient architectural art, are being crafted in Ujjain itself, creating employment opportunities for local people," he said.