4th ‘Maharashtra Mandir Nyas (Trust) Conference’ to be held in Satara on March 22nd!

Discussions to be held on temple government control, security, and various issues in the presence of more than 1,000 temple representatives

Addressing the press conference (from left) : Advocate Janardan Karpe, Mr Gajanan Bhosale, Mr Sanjay Joshi, Pujya Nilkanth Shivacharya Dhareshwar Maharaj, Mr Shivajirao Tupe, and Mr Hemant Sonawane

Satara, March 17^th – Temples, which have served as the foundational pillars of Hindu Dharma for millions of years, are currently facing various challenges under the guise of secularism. Issues such as government takeover of temples, corruption within temple administrations, encroachment upon temple lands, adulteration in prasadam at renowned temples like Tirupati Balaji, and increasing encroachments by Waqf authorities on temple properties have become matters of serious concern.

To address these issues, the Mandir Mahasangh has been actively working toward solutions. With the objective of facilitating comprehensive discussions, strengthening temple unity, and taking collective initiatives to present temple-related concerns before the government, the Fourth ‘Maharashtra Mandir Nyas (Trust) Conference’ has been organized on March 22^nd at Swaraj Mangal Karyalaya, Koragaon Road, Satara.

The conference is jointly organized by the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh, Mumbai-based Shri Jivdanidevi Sanstha, Shri Jyotirlinga Bhimashankar Devasthan, and the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. More than 1,000 invited participants; including temple trustees, representatives, priests, advocates fighting for temple protection, and researchers; from across Maharashtra are expected to attend. This information was shared by Maharashtra State Coordinator of the Mandir Mahasangh, Shri Sanjay Joshi, during a press conference.

Also present at the press conference were Pujya Nilkanth Shivacharya Dhareshwar Maharaj, Advocate Janardan Karpe, Satara District Coordinator of the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh Shri. Shivajirao Tupe, Trustee of Shri Mahalaxmi Devasthan (Bhuinj) Shri. Gajanan Bhosale, and Shri. Hemant Sonawane of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti.

🚩 Over 1,000 temple representatives are set to participate in the 4th 'Maharashtra Mandir Nyas Parishad' in Satara, Maharashtra.

🗓️ Date: March 22nd

The Mandir Parishad is striving to unite and organise our sacred spaces." – Poojya Nilkanth Shivacharya Dhareshwar Swami Maharaj… pic.twitter.com/p4TeCRD9tF

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) March 17, 2026

Mandir Mahasangh striving to unite temples! – Pujya Nilkanth Shivacharya Dhareshwar Swami Maharaj

At present, temples are facing significant neglect, and there is an urgent need for their preservation and conservation. “If Dharma survives, we survive,” he stated. Many temples have come under government control, where several irregularities and scams have surfaced. Similar situations exist in many places. To bring about change, the organization and unity of temples are essential, and the Mandir Mahasangh is actively working toward this goal.

Mandir Mahasangh’s continuous struggle for temple-related issues! – Shivajirao Tupe

The Mandir Mahasangh has brought together more than 17,000 trustees, priests, religious institutions, and devotees. A dress code has been implemented in over 2,400 temples across Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, and other states.

The organization has also protected hundreds of acres of temple land in Maharashtra from fraudulent encroachments. In Karnataka, due to opposition from the Mandir Mahasangh, the Temple and Religious Charitable Institutions Tax Amendment Bill 2024, which proposed financial extraction from temples, could not be passed. The organization has also led movements for the restoration of 4,170 temples that had disappeared in Karnataka. Along with these efforts, the Mandir Mahasangh continues to fight consistently for various temple-related issues.

Presence of several saints and dignitaries expected at the conference! – Hemant Sonawane

The conference will be attended by several prominent personalities, including State Horticulture Minister Bharat Sheth Gogawale, Jain temple representative Shri. Girish Shah, author and researcher in temple studies Shri. Sandeep Singh, Chief Trustee Yogi Niranjannath Maharaj of the Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Sansthan at Shri Kshetra Alandi, trustees from Dehu-Alandi temples, trustees of 11 Maruti temples, National Coordinator of the Mandir Mahasangh Shri. Sunil Ghanwat, trustees of the Ashtavinayak temples, trustees of Jyotirlinga Devasthans across Maharashtra, Sadguru Swati Khadaye of Sanatan Sanstha, representatives of saint institutions, and several other temple trustees and dignitaries.

Important discussions to be held on temple security and key issues!

The conference will feature guidance sessions by eminent speakers and panel discussions on various temple-related subjects. Key topics include temple security, transforming temples into centers for Sanatan Dharma propagation, freeing temples from government control, addressing encroachments and temple land disputes arising through the Waqf Act, prohibition of alcohol and meat in temple and pilgrimage surroundings, and renovation of neglected temples.

The conference is exclusively for invited participants. Those interested in attending may contact the Mandir Mahasangh at 7020383264, as appealed by the organization.