Renovated Hindu Temple to be consecrated on Sunday |15 January 2008

The construction of the new 16-metre high tower (Rajagopuram), designed by architect Shri Ganapati and his team from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, started in March 2005 and has cost R7 million.

Initially slated to be completed a year later (that is March 2006), work on the project has been delayed in view of numerous components that have been added with the aim of “enriching” the temple.

“Behind the newly constructed tower is a hall of Yazhi Pillars which looks like a decorated holy space,” a press release from the Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam says.

A circum ambulatory passage called Prakaaram with other deities around the presiding deity Navasakti Vinayagar has also been provided, in addition to auxiliary shrines such as Sri Natarajar with Sivakaama Sundari, Ashta bhuja Durga, Maha Vishnu with Mahalakshmi, Balasubramaniyar, Bairavar and Chandikeswarar.

Furthermore there is Dhaksinamoorthy called Mayan, in Shilpi tradition, who is the progenitor of Indian scientific and spiritual culture.

“We have also added Navagruham and Dwajasthambam as per Vaastu and Agama. The eye opening ceremony will be performed by Shilpis who designed and built the temple,” says the press release.

Describing the renovated edifice as “an ideal Ganesh temple”, the press release says that the main deity now occupies the central energy field called Brahmasthanam, thereby “clubbing the material and spiritual ambiences in one and the same place”.
Among the foreign dignitaries who will be attending the consecration ceremony on Sunday will be the Vice-President of Mauritius, His Excellency Mr Angini Veeriah Chettiar, as the main foreign Guest of Honour.

The consecration of the whole temple will be performed between 8.30 a.m. and 10 a.m. and all are invited to attend.

Prior to the consecration of the temple, a host of Holy Agamic Rituals (prayers and other activities) have been planned starting today. These include Sri Ganapati Pooja, Yaaga Pooja, installation of Vigrahas (deities), Sivacharyas talk and lecture.

The Hindu temple, with Lord Sri Navasakthi Vinayagar as the main deity, was built in May 1992 and according to Hindu customs, a temple must be fully renovated after 12 years in existence, and the function of Kumbabishekam (consecration) be performed.