Hindus worship Lord Ganesha as the single most important Deity.
All Hindu Temples would have an idol of the ‘Elephant-Headed’ God.
According to the Hindu mythology, Lord Ganesha (with 108 names) is ‘Vigneshwara,’ who removes all obstacles that come in the way of human endeavours, assuring people of victory.
He is also affectionately known as ‘Pillayar’ (‘Noble Child).
Devotees consider invoking the blessings of Lord Ganesha as the first and single most important aspect of piety.
Thousands of Ganesha Temples exist throughout the world but the abode of ‘Karpaka Vinayagar’ at Pillayar Patti, located near Thiruppatthur in (Shivagangai District) Tamil Nadu is one of the most auspicious and oldest in the world.
Constructed almost 2000 years ago, the Temple attracts millions of visitors all-round the year, especially on occasions such as ‘Ganesh Chaturthi,’ ‘Navaratri’ and Diwali.’
Auckland Temple
Rengiah Krishnan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees said that the Auckland Sri Ganesh Temple Trust was incorporated in 1997, along with the purchase of a piece of land (more than two acres) in Papakura, with a sizeable initial donation from a Malaysian family.
“This is the first temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha in New Zealand. Two years later, Temple Priest Parameswara Sharma (popularly known as ‘Chandru’) performed the ground breaking ceremony (Bhoomi Pooja) with funds and donations from life-members, well-wishers and charitable organisations.
“In September 2002, the statute of Lord Karpaga Vinayagar was installed and consecrated with the ‘Maha Kumbhabhishekam.’ In March 2005, other Deities, Ekambareswarar, Kamakshi Amman and Karthikeyan (Murugan) were installed amidst festivities and ceremonies,” he said.
Growing patronage
Arunasalam Rengasamy, another Trustee, said that the Temple has the growing patronage of Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi and Punjabi speaking devotees from India, Fiji, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Africa and many other parts of the world.
“Among the highlights of the activities this year was the ‘Noothana Navagraha Maha Kumbhabhishekam’ held in March to mark the installation of the Deities of the nine Planets in a specially constructed sanctum. Installation of ‘Utsava Moorthies’ (Processional Deities) of Lord Ganesha, Shiva, Parvathi and Murugan was another important event this year,” he said.
Gratifying progress
Chandru said that the progress of the Temple Project has been gratifying.
“The Complex today includes a prayer hall, an adjoining hall with seating capacity for 300 people, changing rooms, kitchen, parking garden and other facilities. Almost all Hindu festivals are conducted in the Temple, in addition to individual prayers, Homams, Abhishekams and other rituals,” he said.
He is ably assisted by Vasudeva Sharma (Vasu).
The temple is open daily from 10 am to 1 pm and from 6p m to 9 pm.
Daily Arathi is performed at 1115 am and 715 pm.
Phone: (09) 2988640
Further information is also available on our website:
www.aucklandsriganeshtemple.com
Sri Ganesha Temple Auckland
Board of Trustees
Rengiah Krishnan (Chairman), Geetha Krishnan, Meena, Arunasalam Rengasamy, Lohop Pragasam
Major Observances
New Year, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Maha Shivarathri, Navarathri, Durga Pooja, Bagavathi Seva (Monthly), Aiyappan Pooja, Varalakshmi Viratham, Deepavali, Sani Shanti Homam, Karthigai Deepam, Thaipusam
Future plans
Construction of a Temple as per Hindu Agamic principles and architectural design in the existing complex
