The multi-million dollar Temple for Shirdi Sai Baba has been marking significant milestones in its impressive journey and if the public response to the Bhoomi Pooja (Ground-breaking ceremony) held last month was any indication, then the Project will become an icon, not just in Australasia but throughout the world.
The sincerity and transparency with which the members of the Executive Committee of the Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan of New Zealand Inc have been conducting their affairs have touched the hearts of the people of Auckland.
More than 2000 devotees attended the two-day ceremony held on February 4 and 5 at the newly acquired premises on Princes Street in the Central Auckland suburb of Onehunga. From the start of the proceedings, piety, pride and a sense of achievement were evident among the officials and those connected with the Temple Project.
As well as the Bhoomi Pooja, those present at the precincts on both days were witness to a series of religious events including Ganapathi Homam, Navagraha Homam, Vastu Pooja, Vishnu Yag, Abhishekam, Aarthis and Maha Prasad.
Dr and Mrs Raghunatha Reddy from India represented Guru Chandra Bhanu Satpatiji, New Delhi. The Satpatiji is engaged in literary works and musical compositions on Baba and has participated in the inaugural ceremonies of more than 200 Shirdi Sai temples all over the world.
Earlier, the statue of Shirdi Sai Baba was brought in a palanquin, during which the ‘Shanku,’ four silver coins and other decorative donated respectively by the Stapati of the Tirupathi-Tirumali Temple and Satpatiji were used.
Sansthan President Bhaskar Reddy adds:
A novel Fund raising scheme conceived by the Executive Committee was a resounding success. Devotees donated $10 for a brick on which their name (or that of another person of their choice). We sold 1000 bricks in two days, raising $100,000. We raised $229,000 and $50,000 as commitment. Donations made to the Sansthan are entitled for 33% refund from Inland Revenue.
