Thanking readers and answering to their most common query

I knew that the topic is at the heart of many but honestly, I was not sure if it can generate so much enthusiasm in such a short time. Thank you all for your appreciation and encouragement. Though there are many other queries that need to be replied to, let me answer the most common query among all: --Yes, besides availability online from the publishers, the book can be had from any good book store in your city, albeit, they will take 7-10 days to get the copy once you have confirmed the order. I believe, book stores have some  understanding with the publisher that they charge only the cover price and do not charge postage-transportation etc to the end-user. I also believe, in many cities, they even deliver at home without any additional cost, depending upon the resources the stores have. You need to go to the store with following information: 1) Name of book (Hindu Temple Management), 2) Name of the author (Nilesh Madhusudan Shukla), 3) Name of the publisher.(Global Vision Publishing House, Delhi),  4) Though not essential it can help if you also have the ISBN Number assigned to this book (ISBN: 978-81-8220-593-2).

I considered this query important and have prioritized in answering because discussions on the subject without having read the actual book may not be able to add value to the discussions. When discussion stems after having actually read the book will help save a lot of repetition and irrelevant comments. 

Please do share your experience if above information helped.

Publisher's Contact Details:

Address
F-4, Ist Floor, 'Hari Sadan', 20, Ansari Road, Daryaganj (Near Delhi Book Store), Delhi :- 110002
Phone
011-23261581, 23276291, 64694271, 43575199
Mob.
9810644769
E-mail
nsingh_2004@vsnl.net n.singh@globalvisionpub.com gv.ph@hotmail.com

Table of Contents

Reader would find following topics and more in the book "Hindu Temple Management"

Preface  (v)

1.  Introduction  1

Objectives  2

Difference between Temple Management and Business Management  4

Temple Management and Managing a Property  5

2.  Temples Architecture  9

Ancient Codes of Temple Creation  11

Antiquity of Temples  12

Temple Structure  14

Structural Parts of Temples  16

Other Parts of Temple  23

Styles of Temple Architecture  30

Temple Design and Vastu-Shastra (Architecture)  36

Function of Temples  37

3.  Temple Functions and Activities  41

Administration  42

Vision Document  43

Setting up Long Term Objectives  45

Making Annual Plans  45

Human Resource Recruitment and Training  52

Code of Conduct for Temple Officials and Trustees  56

Knowledge Upgrade, Sanskrutik Way  62

Priests and Priesthood  63

New Generation Priests and Temple Managers   65

Purchase, Sales and Inventory  67

Book-Keeping  68

Stationery, Web-Site and other Tools of Communication  69

Computer Software, Accounting Packages, ERP Solutions and ISO  71

Membership of Other Hindu Organizations  74

Vigilance  74

Political Scenario  78

Security and Safety  80

What is the Best use of Extra Funds Generated by Temples?  87

Technology  88

Environmental Considerations  89

Signboards  90

Media and PR and Feedback from Community  91

Interfaith Protocols  93

Curtsies Hindus and Hindu Temples Should Extend to Christians  93

Curtsies Hindus and Hindu Temples Should Extend to Muslims  94

4.  Maintenance and Temple Upkeep  97

House Keeping or Cleanliness Management  97

Electro-Mechanical Maintenance  100

Architectural/Civil Contractor Maintenance  101

Community and Temple both Engaging Each Other  101

Temple-Community Engagement Demonstrated by the City of Kaashi  105

Temple Engages Community  107

Interfaith Dialogues and Meetings  112

Tolerate or Respect? Other Religions  113

Community Engages Temple  114

5.  Managing Puja Rituals  117

Benchmark Ideal Puja Ritual and Ways of Managing  118

6.  Laws and Bylaws of the State  127

Conclusion  131

  Endnotes as Q and A  133

  Bibliography  149

  Index  155

Suggestion: Add your email id and follow the blog

If you are having an activist's mind, surely you would like to give suggestions and implement some ideas. If so, you are invited to follow this blog and add your might to the cause of efficient temple management. Please feel free to express here, what all can be done.

TSoR (the Temple Social Responsibility), TSpR (Temple Spiritual Responsibility), HSIM (Hindu Sanskriti Information Management), Interfaith Protocols and ToTD (the Tragedy of Triple Distillation) on account of inaccurate translations

This is first time ever that a systematic book is comprehensively written on Temple management, although, essentially it is not a new discipline. Temples as infrastructure of Hindus, its management is vital for the community. They should therefore set benchmarks for temple activity, rituals and administration with a view to aim at a reasonable TSoR (the Temple Social Responsibility) and TSpR (Temple Spiritual Responsibility). HSIM (Hindu Sanskriti Information Management), Interfaith Protocols and ToTD (the Tragedy of Triple Distillation) on account of inaccurate translations are the subjects that Hindus need to take up seriously. With the better- informed gen-next, it is no more possible to carry on temple activity without any accountability. It is time the temple managers think seriously and provide responsible management to their temples.

The book is published by Global Vision Publications, New Delhi and is available for online purchase from them at: http://globalvisionpub.com Search by book title or author surname.

Define and benchmark the role of temples in our society

The book “Hindu Temple Management” gives voice to what we have been craving for. Haven’t we complained about lack of cleanliness, lack of scriptural knowledge among the temple staff, lack of safety-measures, rampant corruption, etc. when referring to holy places, temples and ashrams? They seem to have become unaccountable and anything and everything seem to pass in the name of religion. Of course there are many good examples of temples with fine traditions, however, today, in the new ‘age-of-information’, if the temples want to continues to remain of significance to the gen-next, there is no alternative but for them to be more professional, transparent and accountable. We need them to establish benchmarks and define their responsibility. It is perhaps for the first time that someone has attempted to focus on this subject with modern outlook which is very relevant for the keepers of the faith. The book is written by Nilesh M Shukla and published by Global Vision Publishers.

To the author's credit is yet another path breaking book, “Bhagavad Gita and Hinduism, what everyone should know”, published by Readworthy Publications.