The International Pure Bhakti Yoga Society New Zealand is renovating a building in Panmure Auckland to accommodate a Temple and a number of other community and social service facilities.
This would be the most exciting and ambitious project of the Society, established in accordance with the vision of the late Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja to facilitate the practice and delivery of ‘Suddha Bhakti’ and ‘Gaudiya Vaishnavism.’
Prominent businesspersons Yogesh Punja and Dhansukh Amarsee, also known for their religious and community services, are the trustees of the Society, while a number of others including Ashok Jeram are its members and volunteers.
In an interview given to the media and a number of devotees in Sao Paolo, Brazil on January 15, 2010, the late Maharaja said that there was a need to establish such an organisation to promote the ideals of Vaishnavism throughout the world.
“I want everything that is going on now to continue after me. This should include my preaching by the Sanyasis, distribution of my books and other services. I emphasise the need for preaching by our Sanyasis, who should decide who should go where. Otherwise, they will end up in one place at the same time. I would like the ideals of the Bhakti to be promoted. Therefore, an organisation called, ‘The International Pure Bhakti Yoga Society’ should be established in various parts of the world,” he had said.
Maharaja passed away in the Holy City of Jagannath Puri in Odisha (Orissa) on December 29, 2010.
Mr Amarsee said that the new Centre will preserve, protect and promote the traditional values of Vaishanavism.
“We are confident that our activities will enable people to meet, pray, exchange good thoughts and ideas, do good deeds, strengthen family ties and promote goodwill and harmony. It will also provide the right atmosphere for people to engage in religious activities and community work,” he said.
The Society is converting a building on 11 Pleasant View Road in Panmure, purchased for $1.27 million.
Mr Punja said that the cost of converting the building into a Temple would be about $325,000.
“We will make effective use of the floor area of 800 Sq mts to promote spiritual activities and community work. The Temple will have Deities of Radha, Krishna, Chaitanya, Nityananda, Subhadra, Balarama, Narasimha and our Gurudeva. The Centre will also have a Temple Room, library, an art shop selling devotional materials, a restaurant and a community hall,” he said.
The main hall, with a modern kitchen and dining area, will be an ideal venue for weddings, religious and social events acceptable to the Temple authorities and trustees.
Mr Amarsee said that up to 500 people can be seated in the main hall, while the restaurant would have seating capacity for 100 people.
“The Centre will also accommodate residence of the priest, rooms for children, Sanyasi and Bramacharis. The complex will have facility for parking 25 cars, owned by the Society, while a car park for 200 cars under the ownership of the Auckland Council would also be available,” he said.
The renovation work will commence in December 2012 and the temple will be opened in April or May 2013,” he said.
