Majestic Hindu temple planned in Canada

Nevada (US), Jan 07 (ANI): A grand Hindu temple is reportedly being planned for Brampton (Ontario, Canada), whose construction is claimed to start this summer.

To be built at an estimated cost of $6 million, Guruvayurappan Temple of Brampton is claimed to be the "first of its kind outside India to perform rituals as in the traditional manner of Guruvayur". Its building will be constructed according to ancient Vedic temple architectural traditions containing Kerala style Sree Kovils for Lord Guruvayurappan (as the main deity), Lord Ganapathy, Lord Ayyappan and Devi.

As a part of fund-raising drive, organizers have minted 1500 pieces of exclusive "Guruvayurappan Medallion" containing the image of Guruvayurappan created in intricate detail and plated with 24 carat gold, which are available with a donation of $1000. It is accepting bookings for weekly Udayasthamana Pooja, costing $5,000 each, which will start in January 2012, and will entertain only first 50 such pooja requests.

Besides the sanctuary, it will also reportedly include a Community Centre, which will organize various cultural, religious and social activities; provide help to needy and new immigrants irrespective of their country of origin; etc. Organizers term it as a "model temple of tomorrow". A well known temple architect from Kerala (India), Vezhaparamban Brahmadathan Namboothiripad, has been enlisted.

Meanwhile, eminent Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, applauded efforts of temple-project leaders and Greater Ontario area community to realize this wonderful Hindu temple and community center.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this new temple complex would focus in this direction. Zed stressed that instead of running after materialism; we should focus on inner search and realization of self and work towards achieving moksh (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism.

Guruvayurappan Temple, whose planning originally started in 2002, is currently functioning at a temporary leased location in Brampton. It has adopted a city park for maintenance and offers free tuition to 10-11-12 grades in Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. It also provides the services of a visiting astrologer, Narayanan Namboothiripad. Dr. P.K. Kutty is President, while Gopinathan Menon and Bhaskaran Menon are Vice President and Executive Director respectively of the Temple Board. Divakaran Namboothiripad is the Chief Priest and Thantri.

Guruvayur Devaswom, abode of Lord Sree Guruvayoorappan at Bhoolokavaikundam, about 29 kilometers from Thrissur (Kerala), is a well known pilgrimage site in India, where the presiding deity is Mahavishnu. According to the legends, the idol worshipped here is more than 5000 years old. Guruvayur is a form of Krishna.

Incorporated as village in 1853, Brampton ( famous as Flower City) in Greater Toronto area, 11th largest city in Canada and one of its fastest growing, besides various denominations of Christianity, is also home to a considerable number of Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims, and nonbelievers. Punjabi is the mother tongue of about 28 percent of its residents. Prominent people associated with Brampton include Rick Nash (ice hockey), actors Shawn Ashmore (X2) and Michael Cera (Superbad), country singer Johnny Reid (Kicking Stones), etc. Susan Fennell is the Mayor of Brampton, which boasts of a Chess Park.

Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents. (ANI)