Concept:

India's sacred land is home to numerous temples and shrines. Faith, devotion, and religious sentiment form the core of Indian culture, and the Ganga of Sanatan Vedic Hindu culture has flowed continuously for thousands of years, with temples, shrines, and pilgrimage sites playing a vital role. This enduring cultural heritage has persisted, despite numerous invasions over the years. Every temple in the villages and hamlets bears a profound connection to the history, culture, manhood, and valour of the area. Most existing temples stand tall, narrating inspiring stories of noble valour. Temples serve as Shakti Peethas, offering direct lessons in religion, culture, society, history, tradition, ideals, rituals, ethics, and eternal life values. They were Sanskaralayas—spaces where an inexhaustible treasure of knowledge, science, education, culture, entertainment, and experience was freely conveyed to all, under the broad philosophical umbrella of Vedic Dharma. An organised system that included all societal levels maintained social balance through these temples and shrines for centuries. These temples fostered a nature-friendly system linking elements of nature, society, culture, education, festivals, and environment, with community support and mutual accommodation. They formed a network for connecting individuals and society. Equipped with facilities such as Dharmashalas, Bhakta Niwas, Veda Pathashalas, Dance and Singing Schools, Yajna Mandapams, Cowsheds, Devarais, Nakshatra Vatikas, and Dhanvantari Vatikas, temples were places of rest for Yatrees, faith for devotees, inspiration for artists, and shelters for scholars, pandits, and yajnikas. Prosperous institutions served as centres of knowledge and societal bonds, with autonomous temples being the heart of community life.

Over time, however, these temples and shrines were relentlessly attacked from both within and outside, at intellectual, family, and social levels. As a result, the temples—once vital in keeping society healthy and noble—became weak, destitute, and distanced from social life. Consequently, society lost access to this divine knowledge. While the temple structures somehow remained, the Dharmashalas were destroyed, and the spirit of service diminished. The temple system collapsed amidst materialism, and the supporting systems were dismantled. Hindu temples became isolated. Unlike Sikh Gurdwaras managed by a Shiromani Prabandhak Samiti or mosque overseen by a Waqf Board, and Jain or Christian organisations at regional and national levels, Hindu temples remained unorganised. Despite ongoing efforts by various groups, these lack significant impact due to poor coordination. There is no comprehensive system for mutual support, collective action for the greater good, or for presenting their case to government or society.

Hindu temples in India and abroad should be united in harmony. They ought to communicate and strive to maintain a common approach and framework. To this end, the Vishwa Mandir Parishad is being established. This is a transitional period for the world. Hindus are awakening again, seeking consciousness after shedding centuries of darkness. At this auspicious time, Param Pujya Swami Maharaj, esteemed spiritual leaders, eminent experts from various fields, retired judges, temple trustees, retired senior officials, and others have come together to form the Vishwa Mandir Parishad.