Governance and Institutional Effectiveness in Hindu Temples: A Five-C Diagnostic and Seven-S Policy Framework
Governance and Institutional Effectiveness in Hindu Temples: A Five-C Diagnostic and Seven-S Policy Framework
Dr. Niyati Pandya, Dr. Vikrant Pandya
Abstract
Hindu temples in India function as complex public-facing institutions that extend beyond ritual worship to encompass
governance, service delivery, cultural custodianship, community engagement, and public trust. Despite their societal
significance, systematic analytical approaches for examining temple governance and institutional effectiveness remain
limited within public administration scholarship. This study addresses this gap by applying an integrated diagnostic and
policy-oriented approach to the analysis of Hindu temple governance. The paper applies a Five-C Diagnostic
Framework consisting of Cleanliness, Crowd Management, Community Participation, Character of Governance, and
Cultural Custodianship to examine institutional functioning through qualitative, field-based analysis. Using an in-depth
case study of a major Hindu temple in Gujarat, the framework is employed to identify systemic patterns, strengths, and
constraints shaping governance outcomes. The diagnostic exercise emphasizes observation-led assessment and
institutional interpretation rather than evaluative ranking or prescriptive judgement. Building on the diagnostic insights
generated through the Five-C analysis, the study applies a complementary Seven-S Policy Framework consisting of
Seva, Swachhta, Sanrakshan, Samarpan, Sanskar, Sahayog, and Satatya to articulate principled governance
orientation. The Seven-S framework operates at a normative level, translating diagnostic understanding into policy
direction while deliberately refraining from specifying implementation mechanisms. The study contributes to public
administration scholarship by positioning Hindu temples as analytically relevant public-facing institutions and by
demonstrating a structured approach that separates institutional diagnosis from policy orientation. The frameworks
presented offer a replicable and context-sensitive analytical lens applicable to other non-state institutions that operate
at the intersection of governance, service delivery, culture, and public trust.
Keywords: Institutional Effectiveness; Public Administration; Religious Institutions; Temple Governance.