Murugan and other Deities await you in Mangere

Venkat Raman

Lord Murugan (or Karthik as he is known in North India) and other Deities at the newly opened Thiru Subramaniyar Aalayam are becoming ‘increasingly busy’ as hundreds of devotees visit the Temple Complex in South Auckland.

As reported in our May 15, 2015 issue, hundreds of people witnessed the ‘Maha Kumbabishegam,’ at the Temple owned and managed by the New Zealand Temple Society, located at 56, Tidal Road in Mangere on May 3, 2015.

Prana Prathistha

The most significant event that marked the opening of the Temple included ‘Prana Prathistha,’ a ceremony to install the presiding and other Deities with piety and concentration. It was a ritual of consecration in which the consciousness or the power of the Deity was brought into the image, “awakening the icon in a Temple.”

‘Maha Kumbabishegam’ synergises the Divine Powers of the Deities and is performed in some Temples once in 12 years or after major construction or renovation jobs.

These observances were replete with many rituals, which have religious, social, domestic and personal implications.

Finance needed

While the inauguration of the Temple gratified Temple Society President Ilango Krishnamoorthy, his fellow Trustees, volunteers and others, the challenge now is to become financially self-sufficient, pay-off the loans and pursue the next phase of growth and construction.

The current phase, estimated to have cost $675,000, comprised a bank loan of $110,000, with the balance raised as interest-free private loan. The total project cost, including all works, is expected to be about $750,000.

Mr Krishnamoorthy said that donations made to the New Zealand Hindu Temple Society are exempt from Tax (CC46402).

Donations can be credited to the account of the Society at ASB (12-3077-0531305-00) and email sent to ilango@merc.co.nz for an official receipt.

“Devotees can also donate a fixed amount every week, fortnight or month into the Society’s bank account. As well as guaranteeing that all donations will be used for the Temple Project. We will acknowledge all donors (unless they wish to remain anonymous) on our website. We propose to inscribe the names of major donors ($5001 and above) in the Temple,” he said.

Significant Decade

The primary activity began in 1996 with incorporation of the New Zealand Hindu Temple Society and initiation of ‘Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami,’ 162^nd Preceptor of Nandinatha Sampradaya’s Kailasa Parampara.

“Many have contributed to its progress over the years. Among them are Mr Krishnamoorthy acknowledged the support and contributions of a growing number of people from the community, with special reference to A Mahasivam, Gopalan Iyengar, Jeevan Siva Thambiah, Dr Krishnamurthi, Subramani Goundar, Vai Ravindan, Dr Varadarajan, Veerasamy Naidu, the late Venugopalan and Yogesh Raja,” he said.

The community is however aware of that it is Mr Krishnamoorthy who turned several stones to construct the Temple, giving his time and effort.

Blessed Community

He said that as a community, we are truly blessed by the Divine Grace to have a beautiful Hindu Temple built in Auckland.

“We can complete the Pilgrimage of a lifetime simply through one visit to our temple. Most of the popular Deities from India have been installed and properly consecrated according to the Agama Shastras.

“You will feel the divine presence in the Temple site. Thiru Subramaniyar Aalayam will become a focal point of many individuals of our community as it will serve the religious, spiritual, educational, cultural, social and charitable needs of the society and experience the Hindu Culture and Heritage in Auckland,” Mr Krishnamoorthy said.