Australia: Hindu Temple Opens In Melbourne Area

Shree Swaminarayan Temple has been inaugurated in Boronia suburb of Melbourne (Victoria, Australia) after elaborate festivities lasting seven days.

Its Murti Pratishtha Mahotsav included Pothiyatra, Janmotsav, Shobhayatra, Vishnuyag, Maha Abhishek, Ankututsav, Prabhat Feri, Dhun, Rang Utsav, Raas Utsav, Mahapooja, etc. There was even a suggested dress code for men and women participating in the celebrations: mostly Kurta for men and Saree (different color everyday) for women.

Meanwhile, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, applauded efforts of temple-project leaders and Melbourne and surrounding area community to realize this wonderful Hindu temple.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this new temple complex would focus in this direction. Zed stressed that instead of running after materialism; we should focus on inner search and realization of Self and work towards achieving moksh (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism.

History of this Temple goes back to February 13, 2005, when three area Satsangi families held Satsang at one of their homes. Besides daily morning and evening Arti and Thaal Seva, this Temple also conducts weekly Gujarati language and Sadhna classes. It also has its own Yuvak Mandal, Yuvika Mandal, Bal Mandal, lazium and band groups. It will be celebrating Vijya Ekadashi on February 18. People associated with this Temple include Manoj Varsani, Deepak Raghvani, Prakash Hirani, etc.

Boronia in the City of Knox is a suburb of Melbourne (about 29 kilometers from its center) originally occupied by the Wurundjeri indigenous Australians. Its Templer Community Church Hall, first in Australia, is on the Register of Heritage Victoria. Notable people associated with it include filmmaker Timothy Spanos, television personality Ian Turpie, comedian Shane Bourne and guitarist Davey Lane. Residents of leafy green City of Knox, settled in 1840s, come from 130 different countries and speak 54 languages. Adam Gill is the Mayor.