SPPU to start Pune’s first postgraduate diploma course in temple management

It aims to equip students with advanced skills and in-depth knowledge of the economic, social, and cultural aspects of managing temple ecosystems, the authorities said.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the initiative was signed by Giresh Kulkarni, founder of Temple Connect, alongside SPPU Vice-Chancellor Dr Suresh Gosavi, and Dr Suresh Haware, a nuclear scientist and expert in temple management, on Wednesday.

“It (the course) stands as a vital initiative to empower the next generation of temple managers, not just across Maharashtra but also from various parts of the country who come here to study,” said SPPU V-C Suresh Gosavi on the occasion.

Students will undergo three months of in-person training, including over 20 interactive sessions, followed by a three-month internship at renowned temples across India.

The diploma course is designed to combine classroom learning with hands-on experience. The course fee is approximately Rs 25,000, and admissions for the first batch will begin in February 2025.

Temple Connect has played a key role in curating the curriculum, ensuring that it blends theoretical insights with practical application.

Giresh Kulkarni hailed it as a significant step towards advancing in the field of temple management. “Temple Connect aims to empower students to innovate and drive sustainable change with temple ecosystems. We anticipate over 50 per cent of the batch securing internships through our extensive network, with lucrative employment opportunities awaiting them,” he said.

Who can apply

The course is open to graduates from recognised universities, especially those with a background in temple administration or those seeking hands-on experience.

Each batch will admit 30 students, and several temples across India are supporting the initiative by offering scholarships to make the course more accessible. Temple Connect has also established an open scholarship fund for students in need of financial assistance.

Temple Connect had launched similar initiatives last year by collaborating with the University of Mumbai and Welingkar Institute.

Kulkarni added the course would be gradually started in more colleges and universities. “Looking ahead, we aim to expand this initiative with three additional programmes – a six-month certificate, a one-year diploma, and a two-year MBA in Temple Management,” he said.

(Alister Augustine is an intern at The Indian Express)