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ATLANTA, GEORGIA, May 29, 2004: This article is by Rebecca Rakoczy and appeared in the Journal-Constitution:



“Please leave shoes in cars.” The polite signs in the parking lot of the Hindu Temple of Atlanta — and the large collection of sandals and sneakers lined up near the temple’s walkways — reminded visitors they were entering a holy site. The new Shiva (Siva) Temple in Riverdale drew more than 500 people for installation services on Saturday. After the 90-minute ceremony, worshippers ate and celebrated. Saturday’s early morning rain had turned the Georgia red clay and construction sand surrounding the new temple on the hill into a gloppy paste. It squished through the barefoot toes of the more than 650 Hindu worshipers and the curious who had come for a ceremony that few — Hindu or not — would experience again in their lifetime: the consecration and installation of a deity, Lord Shiva (Siva), into a new temple. Brightly colored saris worn by the women stood in stark contrast to the brilliant white plain structure of the temple, as hundreds of believers filed into the sanctum of the new building.



Children entertained themselves with games of rock-paper-scissors as the 90-minute ceremony began. Drums and the wailing of the nadaswaram, a four-foot long instrument resembling a clarinet, announced the entrance of the Hindu priests and special dignitaries, who carried large jars of purified water, milk and honey on their heads. The ritual was broadcast on a giant screen for those who could not see it up close. With continuous chanting and clapping, the vessels were marched to the stone image of Lord Shiva and the contents were ceremoniously poured over the statue. First the water, then the milk and then the honey. The liquids flowed off the statue into a collection trough, where it was scooped up into the vessels again. The holy men then drenched mango leaves in the water, which they sprinkled on the crowd.



Sitting atop a hill just off Ga. 85 in Riverdale, the tower of the new temple to Lord Shiva has been under construction since January. Still awaiting its traditional Indian carvings and adornments, the temple was nevertheless ready for its primary occupants — the statues of Shiva and Shiva’s sons, Ganesha and Subramaniam. According to Hindu belief, the statues must receive special energy — and that energy was poured into them via a weeklong purification process that culminated with Saturday’s event, said Shobhna Raghupathy, who serves on the education committee of the temple. For Dr. Grandhige Raghu, an obstetrician/gynecologist from Warner Robins and president of the temple, Saturday’s festivities were the culmination of months of planning. For the past week, Raghu participated in the purification ceremony for the water, milk and honey.



“When the priests chant and worship in the purification ceremony, they are saying these things for peace and well-being of the world — they aren’t just saying this to bless Hindu or this temple,” he said. The ceremony included special blessing from the Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, leader of the Saiva Siddhanta Temple of Hawaii. But it was also a spiritual blessing for metro Atlanta Hindus, many of whom had never taken part in an installation ceremony. For 16-year-old Sirisha Jala of Woodstock, the event was a way to celebrate her religion. “It’s fun and interesting and I learn a lot of new things. And I like to see all the college kids,” she said.

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