Web Desk
Singapore based Global Citizen Forum (GCF), headed by renowned social entrepreneur and philanthropist Bhupendra Kumar Modi, is all set to launch a worldwide movement to promote the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala as an international pilgrimage centre.
Addressing the media, Modi, famously known as “Dr M”, said the objective of the global movement was to restore “Sanatana Dharma” to its original glory as the guiding force of the world with the Padmanabha Swamy Temple as its nerve centre.
He informed the media that a development committee would soon be set up, as part of the initiative, with the consent of the Travancore royal family, for the overall development of the shrine.
The Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple had shot to fame after a staggering $22 billion (R 90,000 crore) worth of treasure trove was unearthed from the temple in 2011. Modi said the security of the temple, which has priceless treasures in its secret vaults, should be enhanced with state-of-the-art facilities. “This is world’s richest temple and built on the base of 1,208 saligramams. It is an architectural marvel, yet, nobody has the vision to develop this temple as a global pilgrim centre. It requires focus and support from Hindus across the globe and we are at it,” he said.
Bhupendra Kumar Modi with Gouri Parvathi Bhai
The committee would work to develop the shrine as a global destination of pilgrimage and” spiritual tourism with Advaita philosophy as core theme, Modi said.
Modi, an admirer of Advaita philosophy and Adi Shankaracharya, said that the movement also has plans to set up an Advaita centre near the Padmanabha Temple. In connection with the launching of the movement, a two-day workshop was held here on April 21 and 22.
Royal family member, Gouri Parvathi Bhai had taken part in the discussion, titled “History and Mystery of the Temple” as part of the workshop. Modi said he had earlier called on Swami Bharati Tirtha, head of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham in Karnataka, and sought blessings for the movement.
