Rajiv Malik, HPI Correspondent,
PORBANDAR, GUJARAT, INDIA, October 25, 2005: (HPI note: Hinduism Today will be covering the February, 2006, festival at Sandipani. In preparation, our correspondent went to the site and filed this pre-event report)
“Temples in our country and in the Hindu tradition have always enjoyed a very unique and important place in the lives of people. In fact, temples are not just the spiritual epicenters, they are more than that. They are the axis around which a whole gamut of social and cultural activities keep revolving. It is with this background in mind that we decided to construct Shri Hari Mandir in the campus of the Sandipani Vidyaniketan, an institution which is known the world over as a premier institution engaged in the field of imparting free education of Sanskrit language and grammar through its Rishikul. And by doing this we are promoting the ancient Vedic tradition and culture which we have inherited from our rishis. It is also built to help the Rishikul students get practical training in performing Vedic rituals.” These views were expressed in an exclusive interview granted to Hindu Press International [HPI] and Hinduism Today by internationally acclaimed Bhagvat and Ramayan, katha vachak Pujya Shri Ramesh Bhai Oza, popularly known as Bhaishri or Bhaiji. He spared time out of his extremely busy schedule due to the forthcoming Sandipani Mandir Mahotsav temple launching ceremony which is likely to be attended by millions of Bhaishri’s devotees and admirers from India and all over the world.
During my three-day visit to Porbandar, I saw construction work proceeding on a war footing to complete the Shri Hari Temple. It will be dedicated February 2 to 13, 2006, with Pujya Bhaishree’s devotees coming from all over the world to attend the various programs connected to temple launching.
“Shri Hari Temple is aesthetically designed and its architectural brilliance exudes spiritual serenity. The sheer structure of the Mandir, 105 feet high with 66 pillars, along with the enormous 64 x 64 feet dome, which is 40 feet in height, emanates energy that uplifts the soul.” Right below the temple is a huge auditorium which has a seating capacity of 2,000 devotees who can collectively participate in the numerous spiritual and cultural activities that will be held here time to time.
Bhaishree explains that the temple is a unique one which will have seven Gods under one roof. It will have Laxmi-Narayan right in the center. Shri Radha Krishna, Shri Ram Darbar, Shir Ambe Maa and Shri Shiv Darbar will be consecrated in the five shikhars along with Shri Ganesh Ji and Shri Hanuman Ji which would be there on both the sides of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.
Bhaishree said, “The temple is going to cost around US$1.6 million. Money for the temple is just not a problem. In fact, the speed of construction is far behind the speed of the availability of funds for this noble cause. The truth is that I am requesting my well wishers and devotees to hold on to their intended contributions till they are needed, based on the progress of the construction work and its pace. You may find it hard to believe that this is the situation of funds, when we have not appealed for funds, have not launched any fund raising program and have just intimated our devotees and well wishers, all over the world, about this temple project.”
Talking about the chief aim behind setting up of Sandipani Vidyaniketan, an educational institution based on Vedic heritage and Indian culture Bhaishree pointed out that its slogan — “Gyanarth Pravesh, Sevarth Prasthan,” which means, “Come to gain knowledge, leave to serve the Mankind” — says it all.
Bhavit Mehta, a UK-based staunch devotee of Bhaishree who was there in Porbandar had this to share with HPI- “We expect thousands of NRI [non resident indian] devotees of Bhaishree to be here in February to participate in the temple launching programs for the lodging and boarding of whom large scale preparations are being made. Most of the hotel rooms in the Porbandar city have already been booked by the overseas devotees either through the help of the ashram here or online bookings have been made directly through internet and e-mail. Around thirty-five thousand people including devotees and members of general public of Gujarat State would visit us daily during the twelve-day launching period in February. Large scale arrangements for serving hot prasadam to all those visiting us are also being planned.”
According to the ashram insiders, the highlight of the launching ceremony will be the Bhagwat Paath to be done with the help of 1,008 Bhagvat Pothis [books] for as many yajmans [devotees] by 1,008 priests. Those who would like to have the Bhagvat Paath done for them will pay US$251. A large number of people are believed to have already registered for this unique anushthan [special puja].