As published in Indian Newslink from time to time, construction of a Temple for Shirdi Saibaba in Auckland is the most important and most ambitious Project of the Shri Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan of New Zealand.
Thanks to the patronage of our members, devotees and well-wishers, the work relating to the Temple is progressing well and we hope to complete the Project on time. We believe that purchase of the plot at 18 Princes Street in Onehunga was a good start, blessed by Shirdi Saibaba.
The Project, estimated to cost $4 million, involves development of the land (measuring 2975 Sq M) and conversion of the existing warehouse (covering 1960 Sq M).
We envisage that upon completion, the Temple and a Community Hall will occupy a total area of 3200 Sq M and serve the varied and growing interests of our devotees and communities.
The cost conversion of the Warehouse to Temple and Community Hall, estimated at $1.5 million, is proposed to be funded through donations and Major Donor Scheme (108) of $10,001 each from devotees. We propose to install 108 small statues of Baba in the new Temple, representing 108 Asthothara Namas with details of the Major Donors.
Exciting Plans
We have exciting plans for the Temple, the most significant of which would be installation of a life-size (5.50 ft) statue of Baba, specially made in White Makarana marble in Jaipur, India.
Among the other Deities made of White Makarana Marble at the Temple will be Ganesha, Hanuman, Mata Chowki (Durga or Mahishasura Mardhini), Radha Krishna, Dattatreya and Ram Dharbar (all 3.5 ft ).
We would install the idols of Shiva Lingam, Venkateswara, Padmavati (all 3.5 ft in height) and the Navagrahas (1.5 ft) in Black Granite, made in Tirupathi Hills in Andhra Pradesh.
We are grateful to the devotees who have already sponsored the statues.
All the idols were brought to Shirdi in August this year, for performance of a special puja, at which I was privileged to be present on behalf of the Sansthan.
All the idols have reached Auckland and are now in our temple premises awaiting consecration.
We expect to obtain all the relevant permits from the Auckland City Council by the end of November or early December 2011.
We will be performing the Bhumi Pooja on February 4, 2012, coinciding with the Waitangi Day weekend. The ceremony will be followed by other programmes on February 5 and 6, 2012.
Donations welcome
We welcome donations from members and other devotees of Shirdi Saibaba at their convenience. These can be through weekly, fortnightly or monthly automatic payments made to our Account at the ASB Bank (Account Number 12- 3137-0047268-00). The Swift Code for overseas remittances is ASBBNZ2A – ASB Bank, Two Double Seven Branch, New Market, Auckland.
The Sansthan has also opened an account with Bank of Baroda Auckland branch. Account Number 021-2730-022170-001 Swift Code: BARBNZ2A.
People from India can remit up to $US 200,000 under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme through Bank of Baroda in India.
They should fill an application (A2) Form, submit PAN Card details and contact any branch of Bank of Baroda for details including terms and conditions.
We welcome any amount given by our members and devotees, because every cent collected will be spent for the Temple and activities of the Sansthan.
We will continue to update Baba devotees through Indian Newslink, which has been supporting the Sansthan and the Temple Project since the beginning.
Bhaskar Reddy Duvvuru is President, Shri Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan of New Zealand Inc based in Auckland. Email: president@shirdisaibaba.org.nz
Website: www.shirdisaibaba.org.nz
