Venkat Raman –
Thousands of devotees of Lord Ganesha, The Remover of All Obstacles, had cause to celebrate on Sunday, October 25, 2015 when the long-planned and much awaited ‘Reinstatement’ of the Deities was completed and marked with a grand ceremony.
In fact, the ‘Maha Kumba Abhishekam’ held last weekend was culmination of seven days of Poojas, religious rites and other formalities prescribed in our ancient scriptures and the Vedas. They were performed in strict adherence to the traditions.
Divinity glorified
The Temple, located in a remote corner of Papakura, marked the South end of Auckland until the formation of the ‘Super City’ in 2010, has been the source of solace, piety and worship and a venue for marriages, birthdays and other auspicious events.
Indian Newslink has been promoting the activities of the Temple since the land was acquired and a modest structure erected.
The arrival of Parameswaran (affectionately known as ‘Chandru’) in the winter of 2002 marked a significant event for the Temple, for since then, he has been a strong advocate of a place of worship that conforms to architectural and aesthetic values found in South India. That would have involved construction of a ‘Gopuram,’ a large pyramidal tower over the entrance to a Temple. Given the limitations imposed by New Zealand laws, the best option was construct a proper Sanctorum for the Deities, decorate them to our heart’s desire and let a million eyes behold them.
Great Ceremony
That was the sensation and mood prevalent on October 25. We could see priests from almost all South Indian and Sri Lankan Temples present at the ceremony; supporting them were people adept in Temple worship, and more importantly the ‘Maha Kumba Abhishekam.’
As Mr Chandru explained, the original Abodes of the Deities and the Sanctum Sanctorum were renovated after the ‘Balasthaapana’ ceremony, which denotes the ‘initial establishment,’ and signifying the religious rites of firmly determining and blessing the site of a new Temple or Place of Worship.
Purification Process
“They were ‘purified’ and reinstalled according to rituals subscribing to the ‘Salva Agamas’ in their Abodes. The Trustees, donors and the people of New Zealand, not to forget visitors from overseas, deserve our sincere gratitude and greetings,” he said.
Later, following his introduction, Chairman of Trustees Rengiah Krishnan honoured Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Member of Parliament on National List for his continuous support over the past seven years (since the 2008 election) with a silk embroidered shawl.
A similar honour was bestowed on this reporter.
Scores of Poojas
The Temple conducts daily Pooja including Asththara Archanai, Upayam, Sahasranama Archanai, Moksha Archanai, Rudra Abhishekam, Ehkumba Abhishekam, Ayusha Homam, Sathyanarayana Pooja, Nava Graha Pooja, Ganapathi Homam, Nava Kalasa Abhishekam, 108 Shanga Abhishekam, Shodasa Kalasa Abhishekam, Pancha Vigumsthi, Kalasa Abhishekam, Udathaman Pooja and 108 Kala Shanga Abhishekam.
Sri Ganesha Temple Auckland
4 Dent Place, Red Hill, Papakura 2110
Chief Priest: Parameswaran (Chandru)
Phone: (09) 2988640; Website: www.aucklandsriganeshtemple.com
