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 covering religious tourism, as well as the financial and administrative management of temples, including security.
"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.
The chief minister said that Samrat Vikramaditya University in Ujjain has taken the lead by offering diploma and postgraduate courses on the subject, under which students will receive theoretical and practical training from experts.
Religious corridors are being developed at 13 pilgrimage sites in the state, along the lines of Ujjain's Shri Mahakal Lok, he said.
Yadav also announced 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, generating employment for local people," he said.