MANDALABHISHEKAM

Traffic Arrangements

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Maha Kumbhabhishekam

The Magnificent PERTH HINDU TEMPLE

Technical Sub Committee

Future Phases of Construction

The Maha Kumbhabhishekam Committee

Nada Nritya Concert

Donors’ List and Commemorative Plaque

HAWA 2004 Tsunami Donation Receipts

Nada Nritya

MAHA KUMBHABHISHEKAM CEREMONIES HIGHLIGHTS

48 – DAYS OF CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL FEAST

PRINCIPAL OFFICIATING PRIESTS FOR THE CEREMONY

How can I participate in the Maha Kumbhabhishekam

RATNA STHAPANAM

THAILA APPIYANGAM

Swami Shantananda Ji

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER

Maha Adi Puram         Monday, 8TH August 2005

Lakshmi Puja          Friday, 12th August 2005

Janmashtami            Thursday, 25th August 2005

Sir Vinaygar Chathurthi      Wednesday, 7th September 2005

Thiru Onam     Thursday, 15th September 2005

The first Saturday of Puratasi Sani     Saturday, 17th September 2005

Navaratri       Tuesday, 4th October 2005

MAHA KUMBHABHISHEKAM COORDINATING COMMITTEE

CONTRIBUTIONS AND ADVERTISEMENTS FOR MAHA KUMBHABHISHEKAM SOUVENIR PUBLICATION

Employment of Priest

TEMPLE CLEANING ROSTER

Donation List from 16 May 2005 to 30 June 2005

Direct Credits to Building Fund Account

Omissions in the Newsletter published in May 2005

MANDALABHISHEKAM

The Maha Kumbhabhishekam of the new Temple will be on 8 September 2005.  The process of energising the new icons will continue for the following 48 days, with special Havan, Kalash Abhishekam and Poojas.  For Hindus it is considered a special privilege to host the Mandalabhishekam of a new Temple.  To enable maximum participation, the Management Committee has set the contribution for co-hosting the Mandalabhishekam at $251 per family per session. It is expected that 5 families will co-host each day.

The Temple will provide all the ingredients necessary for the prayers, including:

• Abishekam materials
• Pooja Materials including flowers
• Garlands for all deities
• Neivethium
• Devotees to provide a new Saree for Devi (Parvathi), Dhoti for Shiva and Pattu for Ganesa.  (To make it easy for host families, the Temple will supply the silk sarees, dhotis and pattu, and the cost of $125 is to be shared by all the hosts on each day.)

The host families are responsible for Prasad.

      Devotees who wish to co-host the Mandalabhishekam are requested to write their names on the list on the notice board or email  hon_secretary@yahoo.com.au  or contact the co-ordinator for the day, namely::

   Mondays:                       Mukesh Mani    (9377 6545)                                                          

Tuesdays:                     Krishnarajah        (9493 3945)

Wednesdays:                Manish Patel        (9459 8809)                                         

Thursdays:                       Jeyakumar         (9310 2360)

Fridays:                           Dr Sitaram Vij        (9354 7838)

Saturdays:                    Ganasan                  (9259 5447)

Sundays:                         Pon Ratnasingham  (9332 9969)

 THE HOSTING WILL BE CONFIRMED ON PAYMENT OF THE $251 CONTRIBUTION.

Traffic Arrangements for the Maha Kumbhabhishekam

The Maha Kumbhabhishekam ceremony is likely to be attended by over 1,000 devotees including Ministers and other important dignitaries. The Management Committee has made arrangements with the church groups on either side of the Hindu Centre for parking of cars in their car parks. Entry to the Hindu Centre will be off Warton Road. Security guards and volunteer youth will guide you. Please follow their directions and please arrive early to avoid disappointment

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Devotees and Friends

,

First of all, on behalf of the management committee, I gratefully convey my thanks to all of you for responding to my urgent appeal for funds to meet the $300,000 price escalation of labour and building material. During the last three months we have raised about $220,000 through door knocking. This speaks volumes about your faith and trust in the management committee and your passion to get the current phase of new PERTH HINDU TEMPLE completed as soon as possible. The Maha Kumbhabhishekam (or the consecration) of the new Perth Hindu Temple hallmarks a dream-come-true for hundreds of Western Australian Hindus who have put in tremendous efforts over a period of 10 years for development of the 5-acre Hindu Centre and the new Temple building. 

Maha Kumbhabhishekam

This newsletter is the ‘Maha Kumbhabhishekam Special’ and mainly intended to provide information about the new temple consecration ceremonies. The details of various 104-day ceremonies are provided in this newsletter. The ceremonies commenced on 13 July 2005 with a 48-day Yantra Pooja (powerful and effective worship of deities in diagrammatic form).

From 1 September we will be starting the actual Kumbhabhishekam ceremonies which will include series of Yagya Shala Havans, Bhoomi pooja (ground worship), akhand paath (continuous chanting), Ratna Sthapanam (offering of 9 precious stones on the pedestal on which the icons will be installed), oil application

 (pure sesame seed oil applied on the icons with Holy grass to purify the devotees from egoism and other shortcomings), bonding of new icons, divine weddings, Kalash ceremonies, multiple Kumbha abhishekams, Maha Kumbhabhishekam on 8th September, honouring of priests and sthapatis etc.  After the Maha Kumbhabhishekam, Mandala Abhishekam will continue for another 48 days in the new temple up to 26 October 2005.

The Magnificent PERTH HINDU TEMPLE

The outstanding architecture of the temple is the work of a dedicated team of local and overseas devotees. Artisans especially brought from India have contributed to the intricate sculptural work on shrine domes, on pillars and temple walls and is no less than that seen in museums. The architecture drawings were done by the famous architect Mr V S Thurairajah at no cost to the Hindu Association.

Given that our new temple accommodates Hindu icon patterns from all Hindu countries and the entrance doors are built on styles of different regions of the world, it is a standing example of multiculturalism within the Hindus. 

The Perth Hindu Temple is thus an absolutely unique structure with no other temple in the world with similar characteristics. Indeed it is a building which will create its place in the History of Western Australia.

This magnificent place of worship will strengthen the bonds through community prayers, impart cultural knowledge and assist in guiding youth to remain on right path to contribute in the national development process in Australia. As always, the doors of the new Temple will be open to every individual irrespective of their religious beliefs, whoever wishes to know more about the Hindu culture.

Technical Sub Committee

Although hundreds of devotees have contributed physically and financially to the building of the temple over the past about 10 years, it is the small team of six members of the Technical Sub Committee (TSC) led by C. Kangatheran, who have toiled untiringly on a part-time basis, sacrificing every moment of their personal free time in the evenings and weekends. They have all done their normal full time jobs also during this period and have made all-round contribution by being good husbands, fathers and community members. Their passion and strong will to complete the task of temple building are indeed highly commendable. Several community members joined the TSC for short periods of time during various stages of construction. However, some members like T. Krishnarajah, K. Jeyakumar and S. Sivanathan have served the TSC continuously for longest period and have been the main driving factor for the development of the Hindu Centre and for construction of the new Perth Hindu Temple. More details about the development of the Hindu Centre including the important milestones have been included in my Media Release which is available on the Hindu Association’s website http://www.Hindu.org.au

In addition to the TSC, I also acknowledge the efforts of the members of previous management committees of the Hindu Association of WA (Inc) who sowed the seeds of development and contributed to their fullest extent during their tenures.

Future Phases of Construction

The value of the 5-acre Hindu Centre on completion of the current phase will be about $3 million with the presently applicable ‘religious place’ zoning. The development of the Hindu Centre facilities including the two priest quarters, retirement village with ten houses and landscaping, will continue in the future years as per the Master Plan even after the Maha Kumbhabhishekam, based on the availability of funds and approvals by the appropriate authorities.

The Maha Kumbhabhishekam Committee

The Maha Kumbhabhishekam Committee (MKC) led by V. Senathirajah has been planning and organising the consecration ceremonies of the Perth Hindu Temple since early 2005. Various tasks involved include security, parking, publicity & promotion, VIP/general arrangements, media liaison, grounds preparation, decorations, temporary immigration of overseas priests and musicians, catering, audio/video, cultural, publication of brochure, shifting of items, decoration, VIP liaison, marquees and seating arrangements, photography etc. The MKC is awfully short of volunteers. If you can help out with any of these things or simply donate your half days for cutting vegetables, shifting items, or being the Parking Coordinator/Assistant, it will go a long way in contributing to the success of various functions. Please remember it is not just an MKC function but this event belongs to the entire Hindu community of Western Australia.

Nada Nritya Concert

Nada Nritya School of Performing Arts will be organising a concert at the St Mary’s Anglican School on 27 August 2005 at 6:30 p.m. The net proceeds of this concert will go to the temple building fund. For tickets and more information please contact Mrs Chandrika Rao on 95294653. The tickets are also available with me.

Donors’ List and Commemorative Plaque

A list of donors is placed on the temple Notice Board. All efforts have been made to merge eight years' records accurately. Please have a look at the list, compare with your original receipts and bring any errors or omissions to the notice of the Treasurer or any committee member. As promulgated earlier, all donations above $1,000 (which reach the Treasurer on or before 20 August 2005) will be acknowledged on an appropriately engraved first Commemorative Plaque to be placed within the Hindu Centre cultural hall. All subsequent donations will be acknowledged on the second Commemorative Plaque to be put up in future.

HAWA 2004 Tsunami Donation Receipts

The individual tax deductible receipts of donations have now been forwarded by the Australian Red Cross. The Treasurer is posting them to the donors who had given their addresses. Other donors who did not give their addresses, are welcome to contact the Treasurer Pon Ratnasingham on 9332 9969 if they want their receipts posted to them. 

Hari Om

Atul Garg JP

President

Nada_Nritya

MAHA KUMBHABHISHEKAM CEREMONIES HIGHLIGHTS

48 – DAYS OF CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL FEAST

Devotees and friends are in for a marathon cultural and spiritual extravaganza following the Maha Kumbhabhishekam on 8 September 2005.

On the evening of 8 September 2005 the Wedding of Shiva and Parvathi will be conducted in the traditional South Indian style.  The next evening will see the Wedding of Vishnu and Lakshmi in the Gujarati tradition.  After the wedding each evening, the couple will go in procession around the Temple.

For the next 47 evenings there will be Bhajans, Cultural Offerings (vocal, music and dance) or spiritual discourses.  Detailed program is being finalised.

Devotees who wish to participate and / or assist with any of these activities are requested to contact Utpal Mehta (9354 5864) or Niranjana Sureshan (9385 0494).

**************************

PRINCIPAL OFFICIATING PRIESTS FOR THE CEREMONY

Pradistaa Prathama Achariyar:          Sivagama Kriya Booshanam, Pradistaa Sironmani

Sivasri Sabaratna Parameswara Kurukkal.

Chief Priest, Sri Kandasamy Temple, Kuala Lumpur,       Malaysia.

Pradistaa Sarva Saadagachariyar:     Vetha Agama Vithya Booshanam

Sivasri Visva Somasundra Kurukkal

Aagama Advisor, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Sthaneega Achariyar:

Sivasri Subba Battar Sankaran Sivachariyar

Resident Priest, Hindu Temple, Perth

How can I participate in the Maha Kumbhabhishekam

You can participate in many ways:

1.      Attend as many of the ceremonies as you can.

2.      The Maha Kumbhabhishekam Management Committee is short of volunteers. Please volunteer for tasks that you can help with – A busy bee has been organised from 9am to 12pm on each Sunday of August to clean up the current temple premises and the area around the new building. You can also volunteer to help with various other tasks. Please refer to the contact details and responsibilities of the members of the Maha Kumbhabhishekam Management Committee on page 12 of this newsletter.

3.      You can sponsor religious activities by participating in Yantra Pooja, Yagya Shala Havans, Mandalabhishekam and you can also purchase the precious stones.

4.      You can make a donation to the building fund or towards a particular shrine. Donations or $1001 or more will be acknowledged on a memorable plaque.

RATNA STHAPANAM

Placing of 9 Precious Stones

One of the important ceremonies leading up to the MahaKumbhabhishekam is the installation of the new icons in their respective shrines.  This will take place on the evening of Monday, 5 September 2005 from 5.30pm to 7.30 pm.  Before this is done, devotees will be given the opportunity of placing 9 precious stones on the pedestal on which the stone / marble icons will be installed.  This ceremony is referred to as RATNA STHAPANAM.

The Ratna Sthapanam is one of the ceremonies which together contribute to the purification and sanctification of the icons in the New Temple and the creation of positive energies. 

Precious stones have always been held in great esteem by all civilizations, and the Hindus attach special significance to each stone, for warding off negative forces and bringing health, strength and success.  It is believed that the combination of the nine precious stones brings about a synergy that accentuates the positive qualities.

The nine precious stones are ruby (manika), emerald (marakata), coral (vidruma), pearl (mukta), sapphire (nila), garnet (gomedaka), topaz (pusyaraga), cat’s eye (vaidurya), and diamond (vajra).

In order to offer devotees the opportunity to place these precious stones on the pedestals of the deities of their choice, the Temple has ordered a number of sets of precious stones.  Two (2) sets of nine stones, together with a brass tray, can be obtained for a donation of $51 to the Temple.  Devotees will appreciate that only a limited number of sets are available, and those who wish to obtain these sets are requested to e-mail hon_secretary@yahoo.com.au or write their names on the form on the Temple Notice Board.

THAILA APPIYANGAM

This is another ceremony in which all devotees can participate directly.  This is the application of pure gingely (sesame seed) oil on the statues with Kusa Grass.  This action is believed to purify the devotees from egoism and other shortcomings resulting from their actions, speech and thought.  This is the only occasion when devotees will be permitted to enter the shrines after the icons have been installed.

Swami Shantananda Ji

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER

Maha Adi Puram                                                 Monday, 8TH August 2005  

This festival is celebrated in honour of Goddess Devi. Three hundred names praising her called Thrishathi Mantras will be chanted during the evening Puja. Devi bhaktas are cordially invited to join in the morning prayers after the abhishekam and the evening prayers (at 7.30pm). This Hindu festival of Adi Puram is celebrated in all Hindu temples in southern India in the month called Adi or Ashadha, corresponding to the English months of July-August, when the asterism Puram (Delta Leonis) is in the ascendancy. The festival is observed to propitiate the goddess Sakti Devi who is said to have come into this world on this occasion to bless the people. People therefore worship her in order to secure happiness not only for themselves but also for their loved ones..

Lakshmi Puja                                      Friday, 12th August 2005

There are many festivals in the year dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. Among them, Varalakshmi Vratham is unique because it is marked by strict observance of certain practices and austerities. The puja falls on Friday before the full moon in the Tamil month of Aadi.

The name Varalakshmi itself can be interpreted in two ways. In one sense, Varalakshmi is one who grants boons. In another, she is the Goddess who is invited into the home and honoured. The different types of benefits that will accrue, thanks to performing the Lakshmi puja are "dhan" (money), "dhanyam" (grains or food), "arogyam" (health), "sampath" (property), "sathsanthanam" (virtuous offspring) and "dheerga saumangalyam" (longevity of the husband).

Performing the Varalakshmi puja is said to be equivalent to worshipping all the different forms of Lakshmi. 

It will be celebrated with Vilaku Puja in the temple from 7.30pm.

Janmashtami                                        Thursday, 25th August 2005

Shri Krishna Jayanthi is also called as Janmashtami day, Gokula Ashtami and Sri Jayanthi. The birthday of Lord Krishna, who was born to King Vasudeva and Devaki is celebrated as a festival on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Sravana, which corresponds to the English month of August-September. Therefore Gokuashtami means Gokul - Krishna and Ashtami - eight.

Sri Krishna is Lord Vishnu's eighth avatar (incarnation) on earth. He is considered to be the Lord's most glorious incarnations. Even saying and remembering His name brings joy because Sri Krishna himself was a manifestation of joy at all levels and in all walks of life. No other God in the Hindu pantheon, or for that matter in any other religion, is associated with so many romantic tales and so fully radiating with all the divine attributes as Sri Krishna.

The Temple will celebrate this auspicious event from 7.30pm till midnight to herald in the Birth of Lord Krishna. For making a cultural offering to Lord Krishna or for any other enquiries, please contact Mr T Krishnarajah on 9493 3945.

Sir Vinaygar Chathurthi      Wednesday, 7th September 2005

Ganesh Chaturthi or Ganesh Utsav or the birthday of Ganesha (the elephant-headed God of Wisdom and Prosperity) falls on the fourth day of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (around August-September).

Ganesha has the head of an elephant on which is perched a dainty tiara, four podgy hands joined to a sizeable belly with each hand holding its own symbolic object. One has a trishul, or a trident, the second, an ankush, or goad made from his very own broken tooth, the third hand elegantly holds a lotus and the fourth a rosary (which is sometimes replaced by modaks – his favourite sweet). Ganesha is famous not only for being a trickster and for his sense of humour, but equally for his wisdom. He is the son of Shiva (Destroyer in the Hindu Holy Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer) and Parvati (Shiva’s consort).

Ganesha is the foremost god of the Hindu pantheon and is beheld today as the most auspicious God of new beginnings. He is worshipped during every festival and before people undertake a journey or embark upon a new venture. You will also see him carefully guarding entrances to temples and homes, peeping out of calendars and happily gracing marriages and other such occasions. The festival will be celebrated in the temple from 7.30pm.

Thiru Onam     Thursday, 15th September 2005

Thiru Onam is celebrated in the second half of August (the Chingam month of Kollam Era) when the August monsoon rains come to an end and the summer heat gives way to the pleasant warmth of the Kerala autumn.

           
Onam or Thiruonam originated as a joyous annual reminiscence of the golden rule of King Mahabali, a mythical king, who ruled Kerala a very long time ago. It recalls the sacrifice of the great king, his true devotion to God, his human pride and his ultimate redemption.  This king once ruled over the Keralites during the Golden Age before caste existed, "when all men were equal, when no one was poor, when there was neither theft nor dread of thieves" (Maveli natu vanitum kalam... Manusharellam onnu pole ... ).  Please join in the special prayers from 7.30pm.

The first Saturday of Puratasi Sani     Saturday, 17th September 2005

Navaratri       Tuesday, 4th October 2005

Navaratri is divided into sets of three days to adore different aspects of the supreme goddess. On the first three days, the Mother is invoked as powerful force called Durga in order to destroy all our impurities, vices and defects. The next three days, the Mother is adored as a giver of spiritual wealth, Lakshmi, who is considered to have the power of bestowing on her devotees the inexhaustible wealth. The final set of three days is spent in worshipping the mother as the goddess of wisdom, Saraswati. In order to have all-round success in life, we need the blessings of all three aspects of the divine mother; hence, the worship for nine nights. The detailed programmes and the names of co-ordinators for each day will be displayed on the notice board in the temple.

 A note from the Editor

I recently volunteered to co-ordinate our fund raising stall at the recent Indian Society of WA function. I decided to sell Parathas and potato curry. I had never co-ordinated a stall Three days before the event, I could not get sufficient volunteers. I was worried whether I would be able to recover the money spent on the materials purchased. As a result of the announcement made on the 2nd Friday and with the grace of God, I did receive help from a number of devotees. Thank you to all the devotees who helped. I must mention that in spite of a short notice, Mr Bhupinder Sharma, Mr and Mrs Mohinder Sharma volunteered to prepare dahi-bada for selling at the stall. They prepared and sold dahi-bada to raise money for the temple. Our stall raised a net of $550. The dahi-bada was a hit and sold out in less than three hours.

And now the lighter side of life – When Indian Prime Minister visited Kargil to address the Indian troops on the front line, he noticed that the temple of an army unit had the stature of Sri Krishna alone.  He asked them why it was so. ‘Sir, Kargil is a field area, families are not permitted here’, was the reply

Bhim Nagpal

Editor

MAHA KUMBHABHISHEKAM COORDINATING COMMITTEE                     

HINDU ASSOCIATION OF WA