Bihar’s Initiative for Sanatan Dharma
The Bihar government is set to establish a council responsible for overseeing religious activities at temples, which will appoint a convenor in each of the state’s 38 districts. This initiative aims to promote Sanatan Dharma, a term often used interchangeably with Hinduism, as reported by a government official on Sunday.
These convenors will be chosen from among mahants, or chief priests, and will work in collaboration with the leaders of the approximately 2,500 registered temples and mutts under the Bihar State Religious Trust Council.
This council, which operates under the state’s law department, maintains records of the assets belonging to registered temples, mutts, and trusts throughout Bihar.
Ranbir Nandan, the head of the Bihar State Religious Trust Council, announced that the selection process for convenors will commence shortly.
According to Nandan, the convenors will be tasked with ensuring that all registered temples and mutts in their districts conduct ‘Satyanarayan Katha’ and ‘Bhagwati Puja’ on the full moon and new moon days each month. They will also promote awareness about the significance of these rituals among the community.
Additionally, the convenors will be responsible for designating areas within each religious site for akharas, which serve as centers for physical training.
Nandan emphasized that the council believes temples and mutts should engage in social activities and reforms. He highlighted the necessity of promoting the values, festivals, and rituals associated with Sanatan Dharma.
Furthermore, the council plans to release a religious calendar that outlines significant Hindu festivals, pujas, and observances related to Sanatan Dharma, which will be distributed through the registered temples and mutts across the state.
