Gujarat recently witnessed the massive demonstration of devotion and unity by Leuva Patidars of the influential Patel community in Saurashtra. A world record was created when over 5800,000 people attended the idol installation ceremony of Khodiyar Mata at Khodaldham temple in Kagvad, Rajkot from January 17 to 21. The trust also created a Guinness record for over 500,000 people singing national anthem simultaneously at one single location.
The impact was such, the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, has taken it up as case study. Professor Sundarvalli Narayanswami, faculty in public systems group, will conduct case study on the Khodaldham Trust, which runs one of the largest Hindu temples. Its managerial and administrative finesse will the root of analysis. "The trust had approached IIM-A's case unit expressing interest for a case to be written about their organisation and activities. I will not be inclined to cover the religious aspects of Khodaldham but would focus on the managerial and administrative challenges as well as policy matters, if any," said Sundarvalli. The case study is likely to be used in classroom lectures. "Specifically, my interest would be in studying the various activities of the trust, scale, scope and social implications of those activities, challenges faced and what are the best ways to overcome these challenges."
Paresh Gajera, president of Khodaldham Trust said the IIM-A faculty would study aspects like food, accommodation, parking facilities and traffic management, done for such a large number of people. The trust had attracted attention as they hosted 7500,000 people over 5 days and claimed to feed 150,000 devotees every hour. More than 125 sensors were installed at entry gates to count footprints.
