In the Vedic culture, temples hold great value. Deity worship, auxiliary services to the Deity, conducting festivals, education, prasadam distribution (also called Annadanam) are some of the activities that happen in and around the temple. The economy of the temple too thrives around the temple. The temple as well as the people living around are benefitted in this model.
This could be in the form of people selling devotional products/services or people working on agricultural lands belonging to the temple. The farmers working on such lands give away the major portion of the produce to the temple and keep the remaining for their needs. It could be a community farming model where the community works as a whole on the farm and take their share of the produce along with providing for the needs of the temple deity and caretakers.
Many people are engaged in the direct and indirect activities of the temple. The temple of the Vedic period was always thriving with activities in contrast to many temples today, especially the smaller ones. Vedic learning was mostly centered around temples. It prepared students to lead a very healthy and happy life. This in turn, contributed to the society and the nation as a whole.
Dakshin Puri aims to present devotees and humanity at large with an understanding of the Vedic way of life incorporating modern technology and healthy elements of modern lifestyle. This would be in the form of various opportunities and activities.
Some of the activities proposed are as follows:
- Providing multiple avenues for temple services.
- Distribution of Vedic books written by HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
- Distribution of delicious prasadam.
- Conducting Vedic classes such as Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavatam classes.
- Conducting grand festivals.
- Accommodation for devotees and public alike to stay and witness the temple
activities.
- Training in devotional arts such as kirtans, bhajans, paintings, usage of traditional musical instruments such as Mridanga, Kartal, Harmonium, etc.
- Conducting childrens programs such as story-telling, drawing, painting and more.
Activities such as Gaushala, Organic Farming, Holiday Camps for children, etc. could come up in the future based on conditions. In short, Dakshin Puri aims to present the Vedic way of life without negating the importance of modern technology or ideas.