new temple in Suva, Fiji

[Guest guest]

Dear devotees,

 

Hare Krishna!

 

Below is some information about the new temple opening here. I should add a

few things though:

 

* The local devotees have made elaborate arrangments to accommodate visitors

to the opening. HH Bhakticaru Swami, HH Vedavyasapriya Swami and HG

Ambarisa Prabhu will be in attendance, along with HH Bir Krishna Maharaja,

the GBC for Fiji who is already here. About 80 devotees are expected to

fly in from New Zealand and Australia, but there is still space for plenty

more so if you would like to attend just jump on a plane!

 

* In true ISKCON style, last minute touchups and cleanups are going on at a

frantic pace. Heaps of devotees, workers, and volunteers are at work all

day. Krishna willing, all should be ready for the opening day.

 

* There are 12 deities to be installed: Sri Sri Radha Golokabihari with

Lalita and Visakha; Sri Sri Sita Rama Laksmana Hanumana; and Sri Sri Gaura

Nitai with Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura and Srila Prabhupada.

 

* Please see attached pictures for a better idea.

 

 

* * * * * * * * * *

 

Web article:

 

ISKCON Suva temple opens

 

by Bhimasena das

 

Posted September 14, 2004

 

The devotees of ISKCON Suva wish to announce that, after 25 years, the Suva

temple project has come to reality and life. The temple opening is on the

26th of September, 2004. We would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone

who has been a part of ISKCON Suva in the past, those who are currently

associated with ISKCON Suva and also those who would like to create a loving

bond and relationship with this yatra of ours. We welcome one and all with

open arms.

 

We would like devotees from all over the globe to bless this Sri Sri Radha

Goloka-bihari Temple, which was a vision of our beloved Tamal Krishna

Goswami and which has been brought to life with unflinching dedication and

leadership of Gurudeva's dear godbrothers Vasudeva das prabhu and HH Bir

Krishna Goswami. Parasurama das, Jairama das and Jivanatha das prabhus have

also put in commendable efforts to see this temple come to reality, with the

support of all the other local devotees.

 

Temple opening is on the 26th of September 2004. All are invited.

 

Airport to Temple Transportation

 

Nadi Airport to Suva temple 3 hours -- Hired Taxi, $120 (4 passenger car);

Running Cab, $15/person (4 Passenger Car); Hired Taxi (Devotee Driver), $80

(4 Passenger Car); or ISKCON Suva 7 Seater Van, $60 (6 Passengers).

 

Nausori Airport to Suva 35 minutes -- Hired Taxi, $ 20 (4 passenger car); or

ISKCON Suva 7 Seater Van, Free (6 Passengers)

 

Contact: Bhimasena Das, (679) 339-7261. Email: jairama (AT) connect (DOT) com.fj or

winmac (AT) connect (DOT) com.fj [if you are coming in bigger groups please advise me

so that appropriate transportation can be arranged. I hope to provide you

the best possible service.]

 

Accommodations:

 

ISKCON Suva Camping Facilities [On a first-come, first-served basis]:

Toilets/Shower, Mattress provided. (You need to bring your camping gear).

Free Prasada. 10 minutes from Temple and 2 minutes walk to city centre.

Cost: free, but a donation would be appreciated.

 

Motel Six: Bed/Toilet/Shower. 300 metres from Temple site and 5 minutes to

City Centre. Cost: $55 Flat Rate. Phone (679) 330-7477, Fax (679) 330-7133

 

Tanoa Hotel: Superior room and suite, $179 to $410. 15 minutes walk from

Temple site and 3 minutes to City Centre by taxi (Hire cost $2 to $3). Phone

(679) 331-2300, Fax (679) 330-1300. Website: http://www.tanoahotels.com/.

Email: tanoaplaza (AT) connect (DOT) com.fj

 

Peninsula International Hotel: Suites from $70 to $100. 25 minutes walk from

Temple site and 10 minutes to City Centre by taxi (Hire cost $3 - $4). Phone

(679) 331-3711, Fax (679) 331-4473. Email: peninsula (AT) connect (DOT) com.fj

 

Town House Apartments/Sarita's Flats: Single/Double Rooms, $55-$80. 20

minutes walk from Temple Site and 3 minutes to City Centre by taxi (Hire

cost $3 - $4). Phone (679) 330-3446, Fax (679) 330-1578. Email:

townhouse (AT) connect (DOT) com.fj

 

Sunset Apartments: Single/Double Rooms, $45-$90. 20 minutes walk from Temple

site and 3 minutes to City Centre by taxi (Hire cost $3 - $4). Phone (679)

330-3446, Fax (679) 330-1578. Email: townhouse (AT) connect (DOT) com.fj

 

For further information, please contact Bhimasena das: Email:

jairama (AT) connect (DOT) com.fj / vdas (AT) ird (DOT) org.fj -- phone (679) 339-7261.

 

* * * * * * * * * *

 

 

Press Release:

 

Suva, Fiji-The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON),

also known as the Hare Krishna Movement, will open an elaborate new temple

in Suva, Fiji, on September 24-27, 2004.

 

The new temple complex is situated on a two-acre plot containing three

buildings and a sixty-vehicle car park. The temple is the largest ISKCON

temple outside of India.

 

"We are very excited that the temple is opening," said Bir Krishna Goswami,

Governing Body Commissioner for ISKCON in Fiji. "We will now be able to

better serve the needs of our congregation, as well as showcase the

beautiful cultural contributions of Krishna Consciousness," he said.

 

The new temple is more than 10,000 square feet in area and is lavishly

decorated with magnificent chandeliers and especially commissioned, original

works of art. Gold domes adorn the top of the building. The total cost of

construction, which was raised locally, is three million Fijian dollars.

 

The second building of the complex is a 7,000 square-foot hall for dining,

weddings and theater performances. At the rear of the property sits a

double-story apartment building for resident students and priests, or

Brahmins, who oversee the worship services, or puja, at the temple.

 

The altar of the new temple will feature elaborate daily worship of Deities,

or sacred forms of God, as is traditional in ISKCON temples. The Deity forms

of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna, Lalita, Visakha, Gaura-Nitai, Sita, Rama, Laksmana

and Hanuman will be installed by a traditional "Vedic agni-hotra," or fire

ceremony, on September 26, beginning at 10:00 AM.

 

ISKCON, with over 10,000 members in the Fijian Islands, is Fiji's largest

Hindu denomination. ISKCON Fiji is respected not only for its religious

activities, but also for its charitable work which includes providing free

food and medical clinics for the local people.

 

The opening ceremonies are open to the public and the media is invited to

attend. The address is 166 Brewster Street, Toorak, Suva, Fiji, and the

phone number is 9227476.