Ganesha Hindu Temple To Be Built After Demolishing Church Hall In Australia
Strathfield Council in New South Wales (Australia) has reportedly approved a Hindu temple for Homebush, to be built after demolishing the existing Church hall.
This new temple will reportedly include an open courtyard with five shrines, including Ganesha temple; a nine meters high Raja Gopuram; a flagpole; and shall follow the traditional Hindu temple architecture from India. Cost listed is $950,000.
Meanwhile, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, applauded efforts of temple-project leaders and Sydney 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 temple 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.
Existing building is the temporary home of Sri Karphaga Vinayakar Temple, which has images of Hindu deities Ganesha, Shiva, Parvati, Vishnu, Ayyapa, Murugan, Navgraha and Bhairava. Temple, which opens daily, has morning and evening Aarthi. Kootu Praarthanai takes place on Fridays and cultural events, religious discussions and music recitals are organized frequently.
This temple has reportedly been celebrating Ganesh Chathurthi, Sankadahara Chathurthi, Navaratri, Skanthashashti, Thiruvembavai, Diwali, Shivratri, etc. It plans to organize Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Thaipusam, Shivaratri, Navratri, Ramnavami, Hanuman Jayanti, Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Thiruvemphavai, Karthikai Deepam, Vinayakar Shasti, etc., in the future. Sivasri Ragunatha Kurukkal is the priest.
About 18% residents of Homebush, a Sydney suburb in Municipality of Strathfield and established in 1800s, reportedly practice Hinduism and Tamil is the most common spoken language other than English. Paul Barron and Bill Carney are Mayor and Deputy Mayor respectively of Strathfield Council, while Sundar Eswaran is a Councilor and David Backhouse is General Manager.