A Bihar government council that oversees religious activities of temples will soon appoint a convenor in each of Bihar’s 38 districts to support the promotion of Sanatan Dharma, PTI quoted an official as saying on Sunday.

Sanatana Dharma is a term some use as a synonym for Hinduism.

The convenors will be selected from among mahants, or chief priests, and will coordinate with the heads of registered temples overseen by the Bihar State Religious Trust Council. There are nearly 2,500 temples and mutts registered with the council.

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The council, which reports to the state’s law department, keeps records of the assets of registered temples, mutts and trusts in the state.

Bihar State Religious Trust Council chief Ranbir Nandan told PTI that the process to select the convenors will begin soon.

“The convenors will also ensure that all registered temples and mutts in their respective districts hold ‘Satyanarayan Katha’ and ‘Bhagwati Puja’ on full moon and new moon days respectively every month,” the news agency quoted PTI as saying. “They will ensure that all registered temples and mutts spread the message among the masses about the importance of these two pujas.”

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Nandan added that the convenors will also ensure that each religious site sets aside an area for akharas, or a centre, for physical training.

“The council is of the view that temples and mutts must also carry out social activities and measures of social reforms,” Nandan was quoted as saying. “There is a need to spread the importance of our festivals, pujas and values and Sanatan Dharma.”

He further said that the council will publish a religious calendar listing important Hindu festivals, pujas and other observances of the Sanatana Dharma, which will be circulated across the state through registered temples and mutts, PTI reported.