Opening ceremonies of $5 million Ram Mandir from June 6
Venkat Raman
If you need wish to know the highlights of Ramayan (or Ramayana), the great Indian epic in a few pictures, you can behold beautiful carvings on the walls.
If you wish to understand the great sculptural tradition of India, you can see many of them inside and outside the Complex.
If you are looking for a place of worship, to pay obeisance to Lord Rama, Lord Hanuman and many other Hindu Deities, you could do so on any day of the week. They would all be in their ‘Abodes’ forever, waiting for you.
If you wish to know what human endeavor is and how much of financial, emotional, material and other investments such an effort takes, every brick and fitting since the time you enter its portals would narrate a story.
Finally, if you wish to know where perseverance, persistence and focused approach take a man with vision and mission, you would get to experience these as well.
Architectural Marvel
The above are just among a few facts that make-up Shri Ram Mandir (Temple) that will witness thousands of people in its Complex for its official inauguration on June 13, 2015.
But festivities and religious ceremonies will be held over eight consecutive days, unprecedented in the history of Hindu Temples in New Zealand.
With a number of priests, devotees, volunteers and others participating in extensive programmes of intense piety, it would resemble the ‘Yagnas’ conducted by great Rishis thousands of years ago.
There is no parallel to the tradition, art, culture, philosophy, beliefs and religious values that distinguish Hinduism. Temples that bespeak the architectural, sculptural and artistic values are monuments that symbolise community unity and welfare.
As reported in our May 1, 2015 issue, Ram Mandir will also appeal to members of other communities and faiths, reinforcing the belief of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The World is One Family).
Singular Commitment
Conceptualised by the Shri Ram Mandir Trust in October 2011, the Project, incorporating an extensive Temple Complex, aims to create a place of worship and a venue for religious, community, social and domestic festivals and events.
Located at 11 Brick Street in the West Auckland suburb of Henderson, the Mandir Complex intends to be the home of Indian culture and account for the largest community hall of the Indian community in Auckland.
While the credit for the successful completion of the Temple Complex should go to the Trustees, volunteers and a number of others in various communities, Pravin Kumar, Chairman of the Trust (and Managing Director of Lotus Foreign Exchange) deserves recognition as the author, producer, director and conductor of all aspects of this magnificent Temple Complex.
The Costs
According to him, the 2366 Square Meters Plot was purchased in 2012 with funds donated by a Trustee. The cost of land was about $1 million.
“The total cost of the Project is expected to be about $5 million, making the Ram Mandir one of the most expensive Hindu Temples in the country. We have had several challenges and problems, each of which was overcome with the Grace of Lord Rama. The Temple in fact personifies our God, with the lesson that sincerity and hard work will be rewarded with success and pursuit of excellence with truth and honesty will be victorious. This Temple is a testimony to the fact that Good always wins,” Mr Kumar said.
West Auckland Community Leader Manoj Tahal writes:
Ram Mandir Complex, incorporating a Community Centre is the first initiative of its type in West Auckland.
While providing a place of worship for all Hindus, it also pledges to promote and enhance the wellbeing of people through community service, education and other means.
Our moto is, ‘From Dream to Realisation,’ and after nearly four years in the waiting, we are happy that the opening day of the Temple is near.
The official opening programme will be held over eight days, starting on Saturday, June 6, 2015 and concluding on Saturday, June 13, 2015 with the Grand Opening.
The first seven days will include morning and evening prayers, a fire ceremony (Hawan) and Mahaprasad. The programme on the final day will commence at 10 am and conclude with Mahaprasad lunch at 1 pm.
We welcome all members of all communities to attend the ceremonies.
Further details can be obtained from Mahendra Sharma on 027-6613242 (family_sharma@hotmail.com);
Manoj Tahal on 021-564757; (manojtahal@xtra.co.nz)
Photo :
- Ram Mandir in West Auckland
- The main entrance with carvings
- Lord Rama breaking the bow to say the vow
Eighty Days of Piety and Divinity
Saturday, June 6: 9 am to 12 pm: Deh Shudhi (Purification), Das Vidhi Snaan, Prayashchit; 730 pm to 9 pm: Cultural Programme
Sunday, June 7, 2015: 9 am to 1 pm: Mandap Pravesh (Commencement of Yagna); 2 pm to 5 pm: Nagar Yatra (Float Procession of Deities) with 108 Kalash and Jalyatra; 730 pm to 9 pm: Cultural Programme
Monday June 8, 2015: 9 am to 12 pm: Pratah Pooja (Morning Prayers), Various Sthaapan (Invocation); 2 pm to 5 pm: Jaladhvas (Immersion of Moorti in Water, Grains, Ghee, Flowers, Fruits and Money); 730 pm to 9 pm: Cultural Programme
Tuesday, June 9, 2015: 9 am to 12 pm: Pratah Pooja (Morning Prayers), Sthaapan Devta Hom (Hawan), Mandir Vaastu Pooja; 2 pm to 5 pm: Maha Abhishek; 730 pm to 9 pm: Cultural Programme
Wednesday, June 10, 2015: 9 am to 12 pm; Shanti Paoshtik Hom (Hawan for Peace and Prosperity); 2 pm to 5 pm; Nyaas Vidhi (Invocation of Deities’ Senses), Devta Sayanam (Sleeping Arrangements); 730 pm to 9 pm: Cultural Programme
Thursday, June 11, 2015: 9 am to 12 pm; Devta Jagran (Waking up the Deities); 730 pm to 9 pm: Cultural Programme
Friday, June 12, 2015: 9 am to 1 pm: Pran Prathistha (Invocation of Life and Godly Powers); 1 pm to 2 pm: Pratham Arti (First Aarti), Pushpanjali, Guru Pooja, Acharya Pooja, Visharjan
Saturday, June 13, 2015: Grand Opening: 10 am
