Shri Giresh Vasudev Kulkarni, Founder of Temple Connect and the International Temple Convention & EXPO (ITCX), emerged as a key voice at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference 2026, where he addressed the featured session titled “Unravelling Gujarat’s Treasure: A Journey Through Spirituality, Heritage, Archaeology, and the Sea”. The conference was held on January 12, 2026, at Marwadi University, Rajkot.
During his address, Shri Kulkarni introduced the CHESS-G Doctrine, a six-pillar strategic framework aimed at reimagining India’s temple towns by strengthening spiritual tourism and elevating the overall pilgrim experience. The doctrine focuses on Convenience, Hygiene, Experience, Sustainability, Safety, and Economic Growth, advocating a shift from footfall-driven temple management to a more holistic, experience-led and sustainable spiritual tourism model.
The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference 2026 for the Saurashtra and Kutch region was inaugurated on January 11, 2026, by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Conceptualised in 2003 under his leadership, the Vibrant Gujarat initiative has grown into one of India’s most influential platforms for policy dialogue, investment, and strategic collaboration.
A key highlight of the session was the panel discussion on “Holistic Path of Spiritual Tourism”, where Shri Kulkarni emphasised the need to build future-ready temple towns through community-led participation while preserving the sanctity of sacred spaces. He highlighted how convenience through better infrastructure and digital support, hygiene as an integral part of the spiritual experience, dignified and immersive pilgrim journeys, disciplined crowd and disaster management, environmentally responsible development, and inclusive economic growth are critical to strengthening India’s spiritual economy.
Quoting official figures, Shri Kulkarni noted that Gujarat welcomed 18.59 crore tourists in 2023–24, with nearly 72% visiting major temple towns such as Dwarka, Somnath, and Ambaji. He underlined that while these numbers reflect deep faith and trust, true success must be measured by the depth of impact on pilgrims, local communities, heritage preservation, and sustainability.
The sub-event opened with a welcome address by Gujarat Tourism, followed by special remarks from Shri Kesridevsinh Jhala, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, and Dr. Jayram Gamit, Minister of State for Tourism, Government of Gujarat. The session featured eminent dignitaries including Yuvraj Shri Ranjit Sinh Parmar, Vice Chairman, Heritage Tourism Association; Shri Sachin Kumar Vaishya (IAS), CEO, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board; Shri Gaurav Jha, Group General Manager, IRCTC West Zone Tourism; and Shri Nitin Thakur, Group President – Strategic Initiatives, Prism.
The conference reinforced Gujarat’s vision of integrating spirituality, culture, heritage and economic development, with Shri Giresh Kulkarni’s address positioning temple towns as cultural anchors and economic engines. His message called upon policymakers, temple trusts, planners and investors to move beyond crowd management and begin building sacred cities that work spiritually, socially and economically.
