September/October 2000

GODS

Hanuman in Mumbai

600 priests undertake installation ceremonies

Muthiah sthapati, a famed South Indian sculptor and temple architect, directed 50 skilled workers in the creation of a 33-foot monolithic icon of Lord Hanuman. The finished statue, weighing in at 55 tons, was formally consecrated February 9 on the grounds of the South Indian Educational Society (SIES) complex at Nerul, Navi Mumbai. Ten months of dawn-to-dusk work was required to complete the work. The consecration ceremonies used holy water from all the sacred rivers of India.
SIES (www.sies.edu/profile.htm) is one of the largest and foremost schools of Mumbai. Founded in 1932, it now has 4,400 students in primary and high school, and a like number in its colleges of arts, science, commerce, economics, management studies and comprehensive education.