The modern temple run: Harsh Goenka questions VIP culture at temples, says people visit to display status rather than devotion

Industrialist Harsh Goenka has questioned the growing trend of elaborate, high-profile temple visits, arguing that places of worship are meant to help people set aside their egos rather than provide an opportunity to display wealth, influence or social status.

In a post on X, Goenka drew attention to the practice of politicians, billionaires and film stars receiving VIP entry, avoiding queues and making brief visits accompanied by carefully timed photographs. He suggested that the focus of temple visits had shifted from devotion to public visibility.

His post, which described the trend as a modern temple run, also questioned the presence of public relations teams during religious visits. Goenka contrasted the traditional purpose of visiting a temple, which he said was to leave one's ego behind, with what he portrayed as an increasing emphasis on maintaining one's public image.

Social media users question VIP access and religious photo opportunities

Goenka's post prompted reactions from social media users, several of whom agreed with his criticism of status-driven temple visits. One user pointed out that the tendency to treat religious journeys as accomplishments was not limited to influential people, adding that ordinary devotees could also return from pilgrimages with a sense of pride rather than humility.

The user cited journeys such as the Char Dham Yatra, Mansarovar and visits to prominent temples, arguing that some pilgrims focused on completing these trips instead of reflecting on their spiritual purpose. The response also questioned whether people seeking priority access to temples noticed the elderly devotees and mothers carrying babies who continued to wait in queues.

Another user questioned the need for photographers to accompany people to places of worship, asking whether such visits were intended to offer prayers or demonstrate that prominent individuals also practised religion.

Debate over equality and the purpose of temples

Other responses focused on the contrast between the idea of temples as places where devotees are equal and the privileges extended to certain visitors. One user argued that temples were meant to be spaces without distinctions between VIPs and ordinary worshippers, but had increasingly become places where social status and inequality were visible.

Another response offered a different perspective, questioning whether temples should be viewed only through their present religious purpose and referring to their historical role as centres of administrative and military authority. The user also argued against the idea that people should stop visiting temples altogether.

A further comment said that divinity could still be found in people who remained humble and were unconcerned about being noticed. The reactions reflected a wider discussion around VIP access, public displays of devotion and whether religious visits should be centred on humility and equality.