Venkat Raman
Auckland, October 15, 2022
The Auckland Sri Ganesh Temple Trust has put together special prayers and related activities to mark Diwali at its Papakura-based Ganesha Temple.
Hindus will mark the Festival of Lights on October 24, 2022, with the actual day of observance occurring a day or two later in some parts of the world.
Diwali is a three to the five-day festival for people from Gujarat, who also celebrate their New Year’s Day with gaiety, hope and aspirations.
Since its inception 20 years ago, the Papakura Temple has become a citadel for seeking the blessings of Ganesha, known by a thousand other names.
Chief Priest Parameswaran Sharma (aka Chandru) said that while the Temple will be open in the morning as usual on Diwali Day, a larger assembly of devotees is expected in the evening.
“As such, special Diwali prayers, invoking the blessings of the Remover of all Obstacles, will be held from 10 am to 1 pm and again from 6 pm to 8 pm on Monday, November 24, 2022. The evening programme will include ‘Pancha Moorthi Homam and Maha Prasadam,” he said.
Chandru said that given the increasing number of devotees attending the programmes at the Temple, he appeals to those keen on participating in special ‘Aradhana’ and ‘Archanas’ to inform us in advance so that appropriate arrangements can be made,” he said.
Further details can be obtained from the Temple.
The Remover of All Obstacles
Hindus worship Lord Ganesha as the single most important Deity.
All Hindu Temples would have an idol of the ‘Elephant-Headed’ God.
According to 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 ‘Karpaga Vinayagar’ at Pillayar Patti, located near Thirupathoor 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.’
The Papakura Temple
Sri Ganesh Temple Trust in Auckland 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, 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
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 of the Special Ceremony was the ‘Noothana Navagraha Maha Kumbhabhishekam’ held in March 2005 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.
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 about 500 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) and Vijithan Sivakumaran.
The temple is open daily from 10 am to 1 pm and from 6 pm to 9 pm.
Daily Arathi is performed at 1115 am and 715 pm.
Phone: (09) 2988640
Further information is also available on the Temple website:
www.aucklandsriganeshtemple.com
