Ponda: Temples should go beyond being places of worship and evolve into centres of education, art, and culture, said Water Resources Department (WRD) Minister Subhash Shirodkar, on Sunday.
Shirodkar said that while numerous temples across the state host daily functions that keep people engaged, it is important not to lose sight of the deeper purpose of life.
“Temples give us strength. They should also be used to multiply that strength through learning. This will bring about a significant transformation in the society,” he said.
He was speaking after inaugurating the reconstructed temple tank at Sateribhat, Volvoi in the Priol constituency. The minister assured the residents of Volvoi that the WRD would prioritise projects in the village.
Sports Minister Govind Gaude said that approximately Rs 1 crore would be spent on the upgradation and beautification of the area surrounding the Mahadev temple at Sateribhat.
He said all pending works would be completed by December this year, after which efforts would be made to promote the site as a tourist destination, given its scenic beauty.
Sarpanch Vinayak Vengurlekar said that the temple tank was restored at a cost of Rs 18 lakh, with work completed within three months.