A2Z Mandir

Category: International Temple

  • Embracing Splendor: Sydney Durga Temple in Australia

    Embracing Splendor: Sydney Durga Temple in Australia

    Sydney Durga Temple

    Sydney Durga Temple, officially named Sydney Sri Durga Temple, is a Hindu place of worship located at 21-23 Rose Crescent, Regent’s Park NSW 2143, within the city of Sydney. Managed by Sri Durgadevi Devasthanams, a non-profit religious organization, the temple worships Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati as its primary deities. Notably, the temple marked an important milestone with its inaugural Mahakumbhabhishekam ceremony on May 7, 2017.

    Sri Durga Devi Devasthanam

    Sri Durgadevi Devasthanam was established in October 2002 to preserve Hindu religion and culture in Sydney. The main goal of the Devasthanam is to worship Goddess Durga, promote Hinduism and help the needy people. The organization is committed to instilling Hindu religious, educational and cultural values ​​in its community as well as future generations.

    History of Sydney Durga Temple

    When the temple initially began its activities, worship ceremonies were held at Homebush High School on a weekly basis, every Friday. Sri Durgadevi Devasthanam Sydney Inc. was formally registered as a charity organisation.

    In 2005, Sri Durgadevi Devasthanam took a significant step by depositing $2.05 million to acquire one acre of land at 21 Rose Crescent, Regent’s Park. The foundation stone laying ceremony of the temple took place in August 2006. Subsequently, after the construction of a temporary prayer hall in late 2006, the three deities were shifted to the temple grounds in a solemn inauguration ceremony.

    The second phase of construction began in August 2009, focusing on the development of a wedding hall/auditorium and an educational hall. The auditorium, with a construction cost of $1.85 million and a height of 6 metres, was completed in 2010. Notably, it is the first Hindu community hall within a temple complex in Australia. The temple complex is structured on three levels: the basement level houses the marriage hall and academic hall, the ground level houses the entrance and the main car park, and the final level houses the main temple above the car park.

    The fully constructed temple celebrated its inaugural Maha Kumbhabhishekam (consecration ceremony) on May 7, 2017. The event marked the official opening of the new temple complex to the public as a dedicated place of worship.

    First Consecration Ceremony

    The inaugural Maha Kumbhabhishekam (consecration ceremony) at the Sydney Durga Temple began on May 7, 2017. The Rajagopura Maha Kumbhabhishekam began at 10:00 am, followed by consecration ceremonies for various shrines within the temple. Around 5000 devotees were present to witness this grand occasion, which was a wonderful milestone for the temple and its dedicated committee members.

    Yagasalai prayers started on April 30, 2017, lasting 8 days with a special puja held till May 7. Ashta Banthana Marunthu Thaila Kappu (Devotees applying oil) took place from May 5, 2017 to May 7, 2017.

    After the Maha Kumbh Bhishekam, Mandalabhishekam continued for 45 consecutive days, starting on May 8, 2017 and ending on June 21, 2017.

    Temple Deities

    The major deities honored in the temple include Goddess Durga, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati. Additionally, the temple also has shrines dedicated to other revered deities, namely Lord Ganesha (Vinayagar), Lord Shiva, Lord Krishna, Lord Murugan, Goddess Visalatshi and Nandi. Notable elements of the temple complex include a ceremonial flag pillar (Kodi Maram), a seat for offering sacrifices (Balipeetam), and shrines (Sannidhi) dedicated to Ashta Lakshmi, Navagraham, and Bairavar.

    Facilities at Sydney Durga Temple

    Wedding Hall: The Sydney Durga Temple Wedding Hall is an auditorium with a seating capacity of 800, which serves as a versatile venue for cultural performances, weddings, ceremonies, conferences, music and dance programs, ceremonies and the temple’s annual fundraising dinner. The Devasthanam invested over a million dollars in the construction of the facility, which is fully equipped with projectors, chairs and tables, table swags, plates, lighting, backdrops and more.

    The auditorium also provides essential facilities, including men’s and women’s toilets, two rooms located on the sides of the stage, a small kitchen, a sound room and two spacious rooms that are often used as dressing rooms for the bride. To make bookings, inquire about packages or find out deals, individuals can contact the temple. Notably, this place is the first Hindu community hall within a temple complex in Australia.

    Educational Hall: Next to the Durga Auditorium is a small educational hall with a capacity of 400 people in a theater style arrangement. The space is flexible and is used for various events such as functions, dinners, weddings, functions etc. Sharing facilities with the Wedding Hall, the Educational Hall also offers booking options, packages and deals that can be arranged by contacting the temple.

    Festivals and Events at Sydney Durga Temple

    Annual Festival (Masi Magam Teertha Utsavam) The most important festival of the Sydney Durga Temple is its annual festival, which lasts for a period of 12 days. Devotees gather at the temple to seek blessings from Goddess Durga and participate in special pujas, bhajans and cultural programs. Each day of the 12-day festival involves a procession of one or more deities around the temple, carried on a decorated pallakku, accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of thavil and nadaswaram music. This event emerges as the most popular and widely attended festival of the temple.

    Navratri: Navratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to the divine goddess Durga, celebrated during the Ashwin month of the Hindu calendar, which usually falls in September or October. As a festival centered on its primary deity, the Sydney Durga Temple conducts special pujas and hosts classical performances within the temple premises during Navratri. The festival holds cultural and religious significance, attracting devotees to participate in the worship and festivities.

    Temple Annual Fundraising Dinner: Sydney Sri Durga Devasthanam organizes an annual temple fundraising dinner which aims to raise funds for the ongoing temple construction.

    The dinner with entertainment includes speeches by the committee members, a variety of dance and singing performances, auction and concludes with a delicious feast prepared by the dedicated volunteers of the temple’s cooking department. The event continues to prove successful and provides an enjoyable experience to the attendees. Tickets, which cost $20, can be easily purchased at the temple.

    Temple Management Committee at Sydney Durga Temple

    Annually, the members of the Sydney Durga Temple democratically elect its Management Committee, which consists of 9 members, following a defined constitution that governs the Durga Devi Devasthanams. At present, the Devasthanam has 124 full paid members and 94 associate members.

    The elected management committee for 2021 includes:

    – Mr. Ratnam M Mahendran (President) – Mr. Sathi Surendran (Secretary) – Mr. Mahalingam Saseendran (Treasurer) – Mr. Kiru. Kiruparaja (Joint Secretary) – Mr. Maheswaran – Mr. Shan Kumaralingam (Kumbabhishekam Co-Coordinator) – Mr. Shivanathan – Mr. Panchacharam – Mrs. Raman Kumaralingam

    Management is selected through member voting during the Annual General Meeting held each year.

    Read Also:

    1. List of Hindu temples outside India
    2. List of Delhi Temple

     

    Official Website: Sydney Durga Temple

    Temple Opening Time: 7 A.M to 9 P.M (Monday – Saturday)

    Address: 21 Rose Crescent Regents Park, NSW 2143, Australia

    Instagram Account: Sydney Sri Durga Devi Devasthanam

  • विश्व का दूसरा सबसे बड़ा हिंदू मंदिर बीएपीएस स्वामीनारायण अक्षरधाम न्यू जर्सी यूएसए

    विश्व का दूसरा सबसे बड़ा हिंदू मंदिर बीएपीएस स्वामीनारायण अक्षरधाम न्यू जर्सी यूएसए

    BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham is a 183-acre Hindu mandir (temple) complex in Robbinsville, New Jersey, that includes the Akshardham mandir, a traditional temple, a welcome center, a museum, and event space. Following the completion of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in 2014, the Akshardham Mandir, the world’s second-biggest Hindu temple, was dedicated on October 8, 2023. The temple is 191 feet tall and is located 99 kilometers south of New York City.

    BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

    The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha constructed the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, New Jersey, and Pramukh Swami Maharaj dedicated it. The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, headed by Mahant Swami Maharaj, is a Swaminarayan Hindu religion. Hand-carved Italian Carrara marble, limestone, and Indian pink stone are meticulously employed in the construction of the mandir. The mandir was built by the standards specified in the ancient Vedas, or Hindu texts. The mandir is open for guests for worship (darshan) daily. The compound also features an assembly hall in addition to the mandir.

    Mandir and daily rituals

    The mandir is a shikarbaddha mandir, created according to the principles given down in the Shilpa Shastras, Hindu books that prescribe holy construction norms. Murtis, or holy icons of the deities, have been holy within the mandir. The central shrine houses the sacred murtis of Swaminarayan and Gunatitanand Swami, venerated together as Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj. Similarly, separate shrines hold additional murtis, such as Radha and Krishna, Shiva and Parvati, Sita and Ram, Hanuman, Ganapati, and Swaminarayan’s spiritual successors, the BAPS gurus.

    Once the divine appears in a murti, it becomes a manifestation of the Divine, according to Hindu teachings. In consequence, Swaminarayan swamis, or monks, dedicate themselves to the deities throughout the day. They awaken the deities by chanting prabhatiya (morning hymns) before sunrise. The deities are then cleansed and given food and clothing based on the time of day and season. Food that has been presented to the deities is considered dedicated and is delivered as prasadam to devotees.

    Aarti, an act in which devotees chant the glory of God as a lit wick is circulated in front of the murtis, is conducted five times a day and is known as mangala aarti, shanagar aarti, rajabhoga aarti, sandhya aarti, and shayana aarti. Finally, swamis dress the murtis in night garb and request that the deities retire for the night.

    Construction

    Pramukh Swami Maharaj thought and imagined the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, New Jersey in 1997 as part of Swaminarayan Akshardham in North America. The construction of the mandir commenced in 2010. 68,000 cubic feet of Italian Carrara marble were used to construct the Nagaradi-style mandir. The marble was imported from European quarries to Rajasthan, India, where hundreds of craftsmen sculpted the stones. The last stone pieces were sequentially numbered by engineers and sent to Robbinsville after being constructed in workshops. Upon the arrival of the components, a systematic numbering system was implemented to facilitate the seamless construction of the mandir.

    The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, New Jersey, envisioned by Pramukh Swami Maharaj in 1997 as part of Swaminarayan Akshardham in North America, began construction in 2010. Crafted in the Nagaradi style with 68,000 cubic feet of Italian Carrara marble, the stones were carved by artisans in Rajasthan, India, after being shipped from European quarries. Engineers meticulously numbered and assembled the stones in workshops before transporting them to Robbinsville, where a decorative mandap was erected to protect the mandir from the elements. Measuring 87 feet wide, 133 feet long, and 42 feet high, the mandap’s entrance, Mayur Dwar, features carvings of peacocks, elephants, and revered Hindu devotees.

    The construction, a collaborative effort involving artisans and volunteers contributing an estimated 4.7 million human hours, encompassed various tasks such as design, engineering, carving coordination, stone shipping, site preparation, lighting, electrical wiring, polishing, cleaning, tent construction, meal preparation, and medical services are all available. This collaborative endeavor yielded a spiritual masterpiece, a testament to dedication and craftsmanship.

    Opening of BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham

    The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, inaugurated on August 10, 2014, saw its official opening after the consecration of the murtis in the presence of Pramukh Swami Maharaj and senior swamis of BAPS. The opening ceremony was graced by distinguished guests, featuring the presence of Senator Cory Booker, Rep. Steny Hoyer, Rep. Frank Pallone, Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, Indian Consul General Dnyaneshwar Mulay and Attorney General John Jay Hoffman. The three-day celebration included a grand yagna for world peace, a women’s cultural program promoting interfaith harmony, and drew over 20,000 participants. In June 2022, the Shayona Cafe, offering gourmet South Indian and North Indian cuisine, expanded its services, adding to the cultural and culinary richness of the mandir.

    BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Mandir

    The Akshardham Mandir, recognized as the largest Hindu mandir in the United States and the second-largest globally, encompasses 13 shrines devoted to diverse Hindu deities.

    Architecture

    The Akshardham Mandir, constructed by ancient Hindu scriptures detailing architecture and design, incorporates a diverse array of stones, including marble from Greece, Turkey, and Italy; pink sandstone from Rajasthan, Indian granite, and limestone sourced from Bulgaria and Turkey are among the varied stones utilized in its construction. Between 2011 and 2023, a remarkable 12,500 volunteers dedicated their time to building the mandir, carving and installing about 2 million cubic feet of stone, equivalent to approximately 4.7 million work hours. This architectural marvel spans an impressive 255 feet in length, 345 feet in width, and rises to a height of 191 feet, adorned with nine shikhars and four characteristic domes.

    The Akshardham mandir boasts the largest constructed elliptical dome among traditional stone mandirs, housing over 10,000 statues, statuettes, and intricately carved motifs depicting Indian music and dance forms. Notably, the mandir showcases carvings of all 108 Bharatanatyam poses, a unique feature within a single structure.

    The first marble pillar was ceremoniously installed on September 4, 2017, accompanied by guided tours of the complex, cultural programs, and a Vedic ceremony graced by the presence of Mahant Swami Maharaj. To commemorate the completion of the Akshardham, BAPS organized a three-month-long inaugural celebration titled “Festival of Inspirations.” On October 8, 2023, Mahant Swami Maharaj conducted the “Pran-Prathistha ceremony,” formally inaugurating the mandir. The ceremony was attended by Delaware Governor John Carney and Congressman Steny Hoyer.

    The construction, a collaborative effort involving artisans and volunteers contributing an estimated 4.7 million human hours, encompassed various tasks such as design, engineering, carving coordination, stone shipping, site preparation, lighting, electrical wiring, polishing, cleaning, tent-building, meal preparation, and medical services. This collective dedication resulted in the creation of a spiritual masterpiece, a testament to devotion and craftsmanship.

    Charitable Initiatives

    Since 2012, BAPS Charities has been a beacon of philanthropy at the Robbinsville mandir, hosting health fairs and seminars led by volunteer medical professionals. Through the yearly walk-a-thons, substantial donations have been garnered to bolster humanitarian efforts, notably contributing to the planting of 300,000 trees in alignment with the Nature Conservancy’s goal to plant 1 billion trees by 2025.

    Amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic, BAPS Charities has showcased steadfast support and assistance on a global scale. On March 29, 2020, all six BAPS shikharbaddha mandirs in North America broadcasted a special mahapuja performed by the swamis to pray for those affected by the pandemic, with over 12,000 North American families participating.

    In the first month of the pandemic, 5,500 N95 face masks were donated to various medical organizations in New Jersey, including Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Capital Health Hospitals, Penn Medicine at Princeton Medical Center, and Robbinsville Township. Additionally, over 4,000 hot meals were served to first responders in New York and New Jersey, including Robbinsville Township Police Department and Fire Department, and Saint Francis Medical Center.

    BAPS Charities extended its support by delivering care packages to seniors in New Jersey, organizing a food drive to collect non-perishable items for the Robbinsville Township Food Pantry and NJ Rise.

    On April 30, 2021, BAPS Charities collaborated with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital to host a vaccination drive at the mandir. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy commended BAPS Charities for increasing accessibility for the elderly through vaccination clinics hosted at mandirs.

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