The International Temples Convention Tirupati edition, held from February 17 to 19, 2025, gathered temple leaders from 58 countries in one place. This was the second edition of the International Temples Convention & Expo (ITCX). Because it landed in the temple town, it turned Tirupati into the centre of a global conversation on how sacred places are run.
If you searched for this event before it began, you probably found registration notices and dates. This updated guide does something different. It records what actually happened, who came, what was announced, and what the gathering means for Tirupati and for temples everywhere.
Tirupati Official is an independent news guide. We are not affiliated with ITCX, Temple Connect, or the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, and we do not handle registrations or payments. For official event details, use the organiser’s website linked below.
International Temples Convention Tirupati: Quick Facts
- Event: International Temples Convention & Expo (ITCX) 2025, the second edition
- Dates: February 17 to 19, 2025 (three days)
- Venue: Asha Conventions, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
- Scale: around 1,581 institutions and 389 international temples across 58 countries
- Speakers: 111-plus, with 15 workshops and 60-plus expo stalls
- Organiser: Temple Connect, founded by Giresh Kulkarni, with Prasad Lad as chairman
- Big announcement: the launch of an International Temple Federation
What Was the International Temples Convention Tirupati?
The International Temples Convention Tirupati was a three-day global conclave on temple management, hosted in the spiritual capital of South India. It brought together CEOs, trustees, and department heads from Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, and Sikh institutions. The goal was simple. Leaders wanted to share how modern tools can run temples better while keeping tradition intact.
Temple Connect, an India-based platform that documents and digitises temple information, developed the event. Because temples handle huge crowds, large donations, and daily food service, the sessions focused on real operational problems. Speakers covered crowd control, fund management, disaster readiness, sanitation, and large-scale meal distribution.
The expo ran alongside the talks. It showcased faith-tech products built for shrines, from queue systems to digital donation tools. So delegates could see working solutions, not just slides.
Why Tirupati Hosted It
Tirupati is home to the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple, which draws millions of devotees each year. That deep-rooted temple economy made the city a natural stage for the second edition. Since Tirupati already manages one of the world’s busiest shrines, its administrators had plenty to teach visiting delegates. The organisers called the gathering a “Mahakumbh of Temples” because so many institutions took part.
When and Where the Convention Took Place
The convention ran across three days at Asha Conventions in Tirupati. It opened on February 17, 2025, and closed on February 19, 2025. The format was hybrid, so temples that could not travel joined online. Around 1,200 institutions attended in person, while roughly 351 more took part digitally.
This structure mattered because many small temples cannot spare staff or budget for travel. Since the sessions streamed online, remote trustees still reached the same speakers and case studies. That hybrid design is one reason the event stretched across 58 countries.
Who Attended the International Temples Convention Tirupati
The guest list was unusually senior for a temple event. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made a special appearance and spoke on the social role of temples. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu attended, along with Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Union Minister Shripad Naik.
Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh also joined the sessions. Former Supreme Court Justice Indira Banerjee spoke on religious freedom under Articles 25 to 28 of the Constitution. From the RSS, CR Mukunda addressed how large, well-funded temples can support smaller ones.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a letter of appreciation. That echoed the support he and Union Home Minister Amit Shah gave the first edition back in 2023.
The People Behind ITCX
Giresh Kulkarni, founder of Temple Connect, envisioned and led the convention. Prasad Lad, Chief Whip of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, served as chairman. Meghaa Ghosh worked as co-curator and IP director, shaping the three-stage session format. The event was organised in association with Anthyodaya Pratishthan, founded by Neeta Lad.
Major Themes at the International Temples Convention Tirupati
The sessions were built around problems every large temple faces. Crowd and queue management drew heavy attention, since poor flow can turn a darshan into an ordeal. Fund management was another core theme, because trustees must handle donations transparently.
Technology ran through almost every panel. Organisers highlighted more than 75 innovations in the temple and faith-tech space. These ranged from AI-based crowd monitoring to digital donation and booking systems. Speakers argued that such tools improve both safety and the everyday devotee experience.
Food and sustainability also featured strongly. Delegates discussed large-scale langar and prasadam distribution, waste recycling, and cleaner energy for temple campuses. A dedicated “Temple Talks” stage let institutions present real case studies. So attendees left with methods they could copy, not just theory.
What set the International Temples Convention Tirupati apart was this focus on doing, not just debating. Every theme tied back to a problem trustees face on a busy festival day. Because the speakers ran real shrines themselves, the advice stayed grounded rather than academic.
Key Outcomes and Announcements
The biggest news came on the final day. Prasad Lad announced the formation of an International Temple Federation. This body is meant to link temples across continents for knowledge sharing and problem solving. He compared the vision to Davos, where global leaders meet to trade ideas on governance and development.
Kulkarni, in his closing remarks, described ITCX as a movement rather than a one-time event. Speakers repeatedly pushed the idea of running temples as professional institutions. The argument was that devotee donations should visibly fund medical aid, education, and food programmes. Delegates also debated a “smart temples” approach that uses AI to improve safety and cut queue times.
The Numbers That Framed the Debate
Several economic figures shaped the discussions. Speakers cited India’s temple economy at roughly ₹4 to 5 lakh crore, a scale that rivals major industries. A Colliers report was quoted showing spiritual tourism holds close to a 30% share of India’s travel market.
That segment keeps growing, and it could reach around $130 billion by 2032. These numbers explain why state governments and tourism boards took such active interest. Because the money is real, the push to professionalise temples carries weight.
How the Tirupati Edition Compared With ITCX 2023
The Tirupati event was the second ITCX. The first ran in Varanasi in July 2023 at the Rudraksh Convention Center. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat inaugurated that debut edition. The 2025 gathering was far larger in every measure, as the table below shows.
| Detail | ITCX 2023 (Varanasi) | ITCX 2025 (Tirupati) |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | July 22 to 24, 2023 | February 17 to 19, 2025 |
| Venue | Rudraksh Convention Center | Asha Conventions |
| Temples/institutions | 450-plus temples | 1,581 institutions |
| Countries | Around 25 | 58 |
| Format | In-person | Hybrid (physical and online) |
One correction is worth flagging here, because many pages repeat it. ITCX is often called an “annual” event. So far it has actually run twice, in 2023 and 2025, which is closer to a two-year cycle. Treat “annual” as an aspiration, not a confirmed schedule.
What the International Temples Convention Tirupati Meant for the City
For residents, the convention was more than a conference. It put Tirupati on a global stage for temple administration, not just pilgrimage. Hotels, transport operators, and local vendors saw a burst of high-value visitors during a normally quieter February window.
The event also drew several chief ministers and union ministers to the city at once. That kind of attention often speeds up civic projects and travel links. Our report on Tirupati’s population growth and infrastructure pressure explains why the city keeps drawing this focus.
What It Changes for Everyday Pilgrims
There is a longer-term angle too. Ideas discussed on stage, such as smart queue systems and better crowd flow, directly affect the millions who visit Tirumala. If even a few of those tools reach the hill shrine, ordinary devotees feel the benefit through shorter waits and cleaner facilities.
For anyone planning a trip, the practical details still matter more than the policy talk. Our TTD darshan, seva, and festivals guide covers timings and bookings. If you are travelling from Telangana, check the special Hyderabad trains to Tirupati as well.
Always confirm live darshan slots on the official TTD portal before you set out. Because slot availability changes daily, that one check saves most first-time visitors a wasted trip.
How Delegates Registered for ITCX 2025
Registration for the 2025 edition has closed, since the event is over. For the record, here is how the delegate model worked. Registration itself was free, and the deadline was January 31, 2025. Each temple could send two delegates at no cost, with accommodation and meals covered.
Accommodation was arranged on a twin-sharing basis. Temples that wanted to send extra trustees could add them for a nominal fee. Delegates registered through the organiser’s official website, uploaded their temple credentials, and confirmed attendance before the deadline. If a future edition opens, the same official channel will handle sign-ups, so always start there rather than through any third party.
Will There Be a Next International Temples Convention?
As of now, the organisers have not publicly confirmed dates or a host city for a third edition. The International Temple Federation launched at Tirupati suggests the initiative will continue in some form. Still, no verified 2026 or 2027 schedule exists yet.
Our advice is to treat any “next ITCX” date you see online with caution until Temple Connect confirms it. Fake or premature event pages are common for popular conclaves. To stay accurate, check the official ITCX website for announcements. You can also follow the organiser’s verified social channels for the earliest reliable word.
The Bottom Line
The International Temples Convention Tirupati was a landmark moment for global temple management. It grew the ITCX platform from a promising debut into a genuinely international movement. It also left behind a new federation meant to keep temples connected across borders.
For Tirupati, the event proved that the city’s temple expertise carries weight far beyond its own hills. If you are tracking what comes next, watch the official ITCX site rather than aggregator pages. For anything about an actual visit, rely on the Tirumala portal instead.
Whether or not a third edition returns to the city, the International Temples Convention Tirupati has already left its mark. It gave temple administrators a shared playbook and a lasting network. That legacy will outlast the three days it ran.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the International Temples Convention Tirupati?
It was the second edition of the International Temples Convention & Expo (ITCX), held in Tirupati from February 17 to 19, 2025. The three-day event brought together temple leaders from 58 countries to discuss modern temple management, technology, and devotee experience.
Where was ITCX 2025 held in Tirupati?
The convention took place at Asha Conventions in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. It ran across three days in a hybrid format, so both in-person and online delegates could attend.
Who organised the convention?
Temple Connect organised the event, with founder Giresh Kulkarni leading it and Prasad Lad serving as chairman. It was held in association with Anthyodaya Pratishthan and backed by the Ministry of Tourism and other government bodies.
How many temples took part in ITCX 2025?
Around 1,581 institutions joined, including 389 international temples across 58 countries. Roughly 1,200 attended in person while about 351 participated online, supported by 2,400-plus delegates in total.
What was announced at the Tirupati convention?
The headline announcement was the formation of an International Temple Federation. Chairman Prasad Lad presented it as a global bridge to link temples for knowledge sharing, upskilling, and shared problem solving.
Was ITCX 2025 open to the public?
No, it was a delegate event for temple CEOs, trustees, and department heads, not a general public festival. Each participating temple could send two delegates free of charge, with extra delegates allowed for a nominal fee.
When is the next International Temples Convention?
No third edition date or host city has been officially confirmed yet. Check the official ITCX website for verified announcements, and avoid unofficial pages that claim dates before the organiser does.
