Bhumi Puja at Seberang, Malaysia. RM1,000,000 (US$263,000) pledged

[Guest guest]

Bhumi Puja at Seberang Jaya, Butterworth, Malaysia

Malaysian Ringits One Million Pledge (US$263,000)

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Hare Krishna

 

Dear Maharajs, prabhus, matajis and well wishers

 

Please accept my humble obeisance's. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All

glories to Sri Sri Guru & Gauranga.

 

The Bhumi Puja or bhu-varaha puja was conducted during the most auspicious

time between 7:46 AM to 9:50 AM (Akshaya Tritiya tithi).

About 600 people attended the ceremony which was graced by His Holiness

Jayapataka Swami, co-GBC for ISKCON M'sia, His Holiness Kavicandra Swami and

His Holiness Bhakti Vighna Vinasa Maharaja.

 

Devotees from all the Northern Regional Council, KL, Ipoh, Telok Intan,

Kuching, Sitiawan, Klang, Johor, etc came and participated in yajna,

Varahadev puja, go-puja [worship of mother cow], digging the pond, unloading

the first lorry load of earth, etc. The brahmacaris from the National

Preaching Council provided the main ecstatic kirtans and sumptuous prasadam

was served to all at 10:45 AM.

Our books & gift stalls also recorded good sales. Pledge counter was kept

busy most of the time. The sky was clear and heavenly. Air fresh and ground

just conducive for the event.

 

All this is possible because something amazing happen as rain & thunderstorm

seemed inevitable the past two days [after a heavy rainfall the previous day

almost flooded 3/4 of the temple land!], somehow there was only a slight

dizzle here but was raining cats and dogs elsewhere [5 KM away]. Now even as

I write the sky here now looks dark and threatening to release what it had

hold back the past two days, which it probably will do this time as the

bhumi puja is now over. Maybe Lord Indra is taking instruction from higher

authority??

 

Needless to say, May 4th was indeed a historical and memorable moment as

today is the beginning of fulfilling Srila Prabhupada's desire to see a

purpose-built Vedic Temple fully owned, constructed and managed by ISKCON in

Malaysia. Even though Srila Prabhupada only visited M'sia once in 1971, he

can foresee what an authentic temple building could do to help in the

preaching and expansion of Lord Gauranga's sankirtan movement - as Srila

Prabhupada said devotees can always chant and perform worship under a tree

but in order to attract the mass and exhibit the greatness of the Vaisnava

tradition - a temple is necessary.

 

Somehow, by the Lord's mercy, ISKCON M'sia is presented with this

once-in-a-lifetime opportunity now to see Srila Prabhupada's wish come to

pass - don't mind that 32 years had passed. On this auspicious time, I am

happy to announce that by the presence and blessings of the 3 Maharajas who

are dear disciples of Srila Prabhupada, a well wisher from Kulim, Mr

Appala Naidu was inspired to made a RM1,000,000 (US$263,000) pledge towards

the project. When the construction starts, he promised to contribute more.

 

The Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple Complex building committee wished to thank

Mr. Appalanaidu and his family, also not forgetting the many, many

individuals and centres who had contributed towards the project or make

pledges of donations [large and small] for the earthwork and construction of

the retaining wall, which amounts to about RM25,000.

 

The SSRKTC members also wished to convey our heartfelt appreciation and

gratitude to the HH Jayapataka Swami, HH Kavicandra Swami and HH BVV Nrsimha

Maharaj for kindly presided over the ceremony and for the opportunity to

serve them and seek their guidance personal. Also not forgetting the many,

many devotees who had sacrifice their weekend and spent time with us,

especially those had served so diligently to ensure the success of this

Bhumi puja ceremony.

 

All the SSRKTC members are now looking forward to the day when we could

invite all of you nice devotees and friends of ISKCON M'sia to another

auspicious ceremony known as the Vaastu puja and Ananta-Sesa Puja before

beginning the construction of the temple complex proper.

 

FYI, the total cost for the temple complex at this moment stands at

RM 6,600,000 (US$1.57 million) comprised of a beautiful granite temple [75'

high dome with kalash, cakra and flag another 10'] with a large man dap to

accommodat

700-800 devotees, a teakwood altar and simhasan, a multi purpose hall able

to accommodate 900-1,000 guests, rooms for meetings, conference, and

education

and training, library, AV room, office administration, counseling, youth

training, art & dances, yoga class, asrama for full time devotees, pujaris,

guests and visiting sannyasis. Also a big kitchen and prasadam hall. Best of

all is that the building plans will be approved by the local authority any

time now, hopefully on the anniversary of Srila Prabhupada's visit to M'sia

i.e. May 10th 2003.

 

Only by the mercy and blessings of the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna, Srila

Prabhupada, present and previous acaryas can we, the temple building

committee members, be able to perform this wonderful service for the

pleasure of the community of vaisnavas [all of you], Sri Guru and Sri

Gauranga Mahaprabhu.

 

Thank you very much, Hare Krishna

 

Your servants

Kalesa dasa, Secretary

On behalf of all the members of the SSRKTC Building Committee

 

P.S. Please visit www.jpsoffice.com to see the pictures of this event.