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