HANOVER, GERMANY, March 23, 2009: The Sri Muthumariamman Temple–the largest Hindu temple in northern Germany–opened Sunday with a purifying fire ceremony that started before sunrise. A Hindu high priest from Canada performed the ritual blessings, and a calf loaned by a local farmer served as a holy presence. Built by the 300-member Tamil Hindu Cultural Association, the new temple will hold about 100 people. The US$406,000 project was funded with a loan, supplemented by donations.
Around 1,000 Hindus from around Germany attended for blessings on Sunday evening. Hindus believe that attending the ritual purification of a new temple can bring as much luck as many years of prayer. About 5,000 Hindus live in the Lower Saxony area, where Hanover is located. “This Hindu temple will enrich Hanover’s religious diversity,” said Hanover’s mayor, Ingrid Lange, on Sunday.
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