It is an ancient doctrine, which consists of precepts born out of a traditional view on how the laws of nature affect human dwellings.
The designs are based on directional alignments.
It was applied in Hindu architecture, especially for Hindu temples.
The old tradition came alive at the site of Shree Ram Mandir Charitable Trust (11 Brick Street, Henderson, West Auckland), where the foundation ceremony for its ambitious Temple and Community Centre Project was held on July 21, 2012.
This is the only project of its type in the Henderson area.
Head Priest Nand Lal Sastri led the three-hour traditional rite of ‘Bhoomi Pooja’ (ground-blessing ceremony).
In this traditional rite carried out for temples, a prayer is performed for purification of Mother Earth.
In addition, the blessings of two deities related with Bhoomi were sought for stability. The first was ‘Ananta Shesha’ (Eternal Serpent), which is said to hold the Universe on its hood. The other deity was ‘Kurma’ (Turtle), the second incarnation of Lord Vishnu, which gives stability to earth according to Hindu mythology.
Community Gift
Devotees and well-wishers who came in large numbers collectively donated about 350 bricks at $101 each, in addition to other cash donations.
This was not only a historical occasion, but also auspicious, since the bricks, with ‘Sri Ram’ stamped on them were blessed as a part of the Ceremony.
A hole was dug in the earth according to traditional Vastu Shastra (Science of Architecture), which is the Chinese equivalent of ‘Feng Shui.’
The site was chosen from a plan to ensure that it faced North East.
The Priest, with ‘Yajmaan’ (representative on prayer dais), Dhani Ram and his wife, placed the ‘Kalash’ under the ground and placed the first brick.
This was followed by the Trustees and others with 350 bricks.
The beaming devotees were happy with the thought that they were part of a process that would see a Community Centre where their grandchildren or great grandchildren would have their weddings celebrated. They would proudly recall that their great-grandparents laid one of the founding bricks of the Complex.
After the ceremony, cement was poured in the hole and bricks buried to form part of the foundation of the ground floor when the construction commences.
What was witnessed as part of this whole revival of the old Indian tradition was something new and exciting for Indo-Fijians, most of who had never witnessed such solemn ceremony carried out during building of a Temple; which was why the ‘Bhoomi Pooja’ of Sri Ram Mandir and Community Centre was a historical occasion.
More information on Shree Ram Mandir is available on website: www.shrirammandir.org.nz.
