If Day 1 of ITCX 2025 was about creating momentum, Day 2 was about maintaining that rhythm and building on it with clarity and purpose.

Walking into the Asha Convention Centre this morning, the energy felt different. It wasn’t just excitement anymore. It was direction.

We had both stages buzzing on day 2 – the Main Stage for keynotes and vision panels, and Manthan, the parallel track designed for deeper dives and open conversations. What surprised and inspired me the most was that both spaces remained full from morning to evening. That kind of presence tells you people aren’t just attending; they’re engaged, invested, and thinking forward.

Throughout the day, we witnessed meaningful panel discussions across topics that truly matter – temple finance, pilgrim safety, human resource challenges, crowd control, use of tech, and the delicate balance between devotion and discipline in administration. These weren’t theoretical chats. They were grounded, solution-oriented discussions driven by people who have been living these challenges inside temple ecosystems.

Another highlight that added a powerful layer to Day 2 was the expo stalls spread across the convention center. These stalls weren’t just displays. They were real, hands-on, insightful showcases offering tools, technologies, services, and ideas tailored for the temple ecosystem. Delegates moved through them with genuine curiosity – asking questions, trying demos, and discovering practical ways to improve their temple’s management back home. The connection between conversation and implementation felt stronger than ever.

One of the most powerful moments for me was hearing case studies presented by temple representatives themselves. Listening to how temples across the country are innovating, solving on-ground problems, and still staying rooted in tradition reminded me why we started ITCX in the first place. This isn’t about reinventing temples; it’s about supporting them to evolve at their own pace, with tools that serve their unique needs.

A special mention must go to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) for their incredible presentation. Their systems, scale, and sensitivity toward devotees always stand out, and today was no exception. They brought data, they brought depth, and more importantly, they brought openness to share and collaborate – that’s leadership.

As the day wrapped up, we witnessed something truly heartwarming. Thanks to the support from TTD, the first group of our delegates were facilitated for darshan at Tirumala. Many of them told me personally – it wasn’t just a spiritual moment, it was closure to a day of learning and reflection. A reminder of why we are all working toward stronger temples.

And just when we thought the day had given us enough, the cultural evening brought the house to life. Performances inspired by temple arts and devotional storytelling gave everyone a chance to wind down, reconnect, and simply feel the joy of being part of something bigger.

For me, Day 2 wasn’t just about events on a schedule. It was about people showing up – with curiosity, with case studies, with questions, with culture, and with the intent to act.

We’re not just talking about temple management anymore. We’re living it, learning it, and leading it – together.