Donation towards Victorians impacted by COVID-19 ( Victoria Cares)

Dear Devotee,

As you are all aware Victoria is once again under lock down. This period of lock down has been the cause of some severe strain on the physical and economic well being of many Victorians.

In order to do our very small part, towards helping the many people, who have lost their livelihoods, and are unable to travel back to their home countries or who have been made homeless, we would like to offer a small token of our generosity by donating a small food parcel to these people.

Our plan is to offer the following food items as a food parcel to these people who desperately need it. We plan to give a 100 such parcels:

Items
5 kg Basmati rice bag @ $8.50 x 1 bag =$ 8.50
1 kg Lentils bags @ 3.00 x 2 Bags  = $ 6.00
1 kg Chickpeas bag--@ 2.00 x 1 bag  = $ 2.00
1 kg sugar@ $1.25 -x 1 bag    = $ 1.00
Long life Milk ( 6 in a pack)   = $ 7.50

TOTAL: Per package of donation: $25.00

Your contribution towards this will be most appreciated. Feel free to contribute $25.00 or more ( One parcel or multiple parcels ) towards this.

You can pay your contribution to the Temple account as follows:

Account Name: The Melbourne Vinayagar Hindu Sangam
BSB: 063 233
Account Number : 10039273

PLEASE INDICATE IN YOUR DIRECT CREDIT (FOOD PARCEL).

Your generosity in this time of extreme hardship will be greatly appreciated. Appreciate your donation to reach the above account before 1 August 2020.

Yours Sincerely,
Shan Pillai,
Secretary

Closure of temple and canteen

Dear Devotee,

It is with great sadness that we have to announce the closure of the temple and canteen to the general public effective 9 pm 8 July 2020 ( tonight). This has become necessary due to the restrictions announced by the Victorian Government on 7 July 2020.

The temple poojas and Ubayams will be done by the priests as always and we will connect with as many of the devotees as possible via the internet.

However, no devotee will be allowed to enter the temple after 9 pm on 8th July 2020 till 18 August 2020 ( for 6 weeks). However, if there are any changes to these dates we will be writing to you once again.

If you have any questions please feel free to call any of the following numbers:.

Temple: 0436 001 881
Suri: 0470 293 217
Srini: 0470203500

May Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar bless you and your family.

Yours Sincerely,
Shan Pillai,
Secretary

Maha Kumbabhishegam (Consecration ceremony) (Date yet to be fixed) participation in the Yaagasaalai Poojas

Dear Devotee,

As we patiently await to celebrate the grand opening of the Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar Temple after the Granite Transformation renovations, with the Maha Kumbabhishegam, we would like to give the opportunity to many devotees as possible to participate in the various rituals during this grand occasion. This opportunity is only available once in 12 years.

The duration of the ceremony is approximately three to five days prior to the Kumbabhisegam. (Not on Kumbabhishegam day). During this period, various poojas and rituals are conducted in a Yaagasaala, where Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar and the respective Parivaara Murthi's are invoked into many Kalasams (holy vessels). Theertham (sacred water) from Kaashi, Rameshwaram and holy rivers namely Ganga, Yamuna, & Cauveri will be used in these Kalasams. A special pooja is conducted as an invocation to Ashtalakshmi for these Kalasams. In the Yaagasaalai special Yajnas and Homams will take place to invoke the respective deities.

Devotees are offered a once in 12-year opportunity to sponsor any one of these Kalasams. The Invocation will start at 6.00 pm and finish by 9.00 pm every day during this 3-5-day period prior to the Kumbabhishegam. Each devotee who participates will receive the Kalasam that they have sponsored (after the Kumbabhishegam), in addition, they will be able to receive some of the special theertham (Holy water as described above) and a memento to remember the occasion, as well.

The cost of the sponsorship is $500 per family.

Interested Devotees please feel free to contact any of the following mobile numbers:
Temple: 0436 001 881
Nithinyanantha Kurukkal: 0423 938 420
Balasundram Kurukkal: 0491 619 199
Suri: 0470 293 217
Srini: 0470203500

Change of Temple Telephone Number

Dear Devotee,

The temple landline Number 03 97621835 is temporarily out of service due to the construction work going on in the temple. The number will be reinstated after the Kumbabishegam (re opening of the New Temple). The same number will be applicable at that time.

In the meanwhile, all queries can be directed to the temple mobile number which is 0436001881.

If this mobile number is busy, please feel free to call any one of the following people:
Suri: 0470 293 217
Srini: 0470203500

We will continue to use the temple mobile number after the re-opening of the temple as well.

May Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar bless you and your family.

Thank you.

Yours Sincerely,
Management Committee

Varaluxmi Pooja (Villaku Pooja) at 7.00 pm on 31 July 2020 via YOU- TUBE

Dear Devotee,

This is the festival in reverence of Goddess Luxmi.is to be held on 31 July 2020 at 7.00 pm.

It is often said, that Luxmi comes into the homes of her ardent devotees and grants them boons. "Vara" means boon. Varaluxmi is therefore the Luxmi who grants boons. On this day, it is very auspicious for ladies to perform Vilakku Pooja (pooja of the Lamp), to seek the boons of health, wealth, and wisdom from Goddess mother.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are going to conduct the Varaluxmi Pooja via YouTube on 31 July 2020 at 7.00 pm. The Priest will say the mantras and will show what needs to be done, and you can say and follow him in the confines of your own home.

We had previously said the items needed for you to conduct the pooja at home could be obtained at the temple as a package but due to the Temple closure, this is no longer possible. However, we attach the list of items for the pooja below so you can prepare.

The List of items for the Pooja are as follows:

• Kuthu Vilakku (or) Kamatchi Vilakku, Sesame Oil , Thread
• One Tray
• Mix some water and make the Turmeric Powder into a ball
• Kunkum
• Sandal Powder
• Solid Camphor ( or) Ghee Lamp For Deeparathanai ( arti)
• Betel Leaves, Betel Nut , one fruit
• Pooja Flowers
• Make Any Prasatham (ex: Sweet rise, Payasam , Kesari)
• Water cup And Spoon
• Incense Sticks (Agarbatti)

Interested devotees can register by calling the numbers below. The Priest will say the names of the families of those registered and will also keep the Luxmi thread at the feet of Ambal and this will be available to devotees when they come next to the temple.

The Priests will keep the Luxmi thread at the feet of Goddess Luxmi and will recite the prayers. Once the prayers are completed, you can come to the temple and obtain the Luxmi thread.

The cost of the sponsorship is $25.00, and you can book as follows:

Suri: 0470 293 217
Srini: 0470203500

May Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar bless you and your family.

Yours Sincerely,
Management Committee

Covid Safe environment Procedures

Dear Devotee,

Pray, that Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar is keeping you and your family safe during this COVID-19 pandemic.

The following procedures will be strictly adhered to:

Impact of COVID-19 on the forthcoming Kumbabhishegam

Dear Devotee,

Pray, that Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar is keeping you and your family safe during this COVID-19 pandemic.

As you all know Victoria continues to be under lock down, albeit there appears to be a slow and steady easing of the restrictions as foreshadowed by the Victorian government.

The Management committee has considered the announcements made by the Prime Minister and the Victorian Premier and based on all the information we have now, it is clear, that holding the Kumbabhishegam on 7th June 2020, will not be feasible.

A decision has been taken to postpone the Kumbahbhishegam to a later date, yet to be announced. This date will obviously depend on the easing of restrictions by both the Federal and Victorian governments

In the meanwhile, based on the easing of the lock down rules issued by the Victorian Government, the Management committee has decided to open the temple to devotees from Friday, May 15th, 2020. As you know the temple continues to operate in the Balalayam (Temporary Temple). As such we will issue a set of strict procedures by Thursday 14th May 2020, which will ensure a Covid safe environment for both devotees and temple staff.

In the meanwhile as we expect the temporary temple to accommodate only 5 people at any one time, suffice to say that, devotees will need to make an appointment to visit the temple, in order to ensure that no one waits in the cold and everyone gets a chance to see the Deity and pray for no longer than 15mins at each occasion. Bookings for entry are being taken from 12th May 2020.

May Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar bless you and your family.

Yours Sincerely,
Shanmugaratnam Pillai
Secretary

COVID 19 and E- Poojas

Dear Devotee,

As you are aware the Management committee took an unprecedented first step on 16th March 2020, in closing the temple to devotees, even before the lock down announced by the government. Since then of course the government has issued orders to close all places of worship.

This is a very traumatic time for all. This move is indeed unprecedented in the history of this temple or this nation. As the Prime Minister said, “once in a hundred-year event”.

In order that Devotees continue to find ways to interact with their favourite temple and Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar, we have decided to do the following:

1. Any devotee who wishes to perform an Archanai, moksha Archanai, a Prasatha Pooja, or any other pooja can still do it. The Priest will perform the pooja and we will video the event, if needed “live” or send the video later through what’s app. This E-Archanai is something we feel will keep devotees connected to the Temple, during these difficult times of social distancing.
2. Used the already existing facebook page to also send live telecast of important events in the temple as well.
3. We have also started a whats app group which will provide information on the happenings in the temple on a regular basis, including videotaped special pooja events.
4. Devotees, who are interested in participating in E-pooja- where the priest will perform the pooja and you can see it live by video, has been enabled for the last two weeks.
5. Anyone who is interested in Home Poojas, we have Nithiyanantha Kurukkal who is currently staying at home in Berwick and providing this service to anyone who is interested. Please reach out to him if you would like him to help you with anything, including car poojas, without visiting the Temple.
6. From 17th April the Temple will conduct special Poojas at 8.30 am and 7.30 pm every day to mark the Mahotsavam for 10 days beginning from 17th April to 26th April 2020. This is specially designed for the Sponsors each day of the Mahotsavam. We would sincerely appreciate if all Ubayakarars for the Mahotsavam who have been doing the Mahotsavam ubayams for the last 12 years will continue to keep their place for all the 10 days. This is a special request to all the Ubayakarars to support the temple during this trying times and pay us the same amount as you have done in the past, like some of you who have already done that, as we will need every penny to tide through these difficult times and also to help in the transformation of the Temple into a granite temple.
7. Internet Links to watch the pooja will be sent to all in due course. These links will be advertised via our face book page and our website, too.




8. Finally, we will continue have a priest who will be dedicated to do all the outside poojas, such as house warmings, Punniyathanams etc. Once again those interested please reach out to Suri or Srini.
9. The last message is that there are still some Mandalabhishegams available to be sponsored. Those of you who are interested in this once in 12-years pooja, please call and register with the MVHS office.

We all share and feel the stress of not being able to visit our favourite Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar. We pray that this Pandemic will be over soon, and life will return to normalcy.

We appreciate your support and understanding in this matter.

We pray Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar blesses you and your family with good health and happiness in the coming new year.

If you would like to make a booking or have any questions, please contact any of the following people:

Temple Office – 0436 001 881
Suri – 0470 293 217
Srini – 0470 203 500

Yours Sincerely,
Shanmugaratnam Pillai
Secretary

E-Calendar

The Melbourne Vinayagar Hindu Sangam is proud to launch its E-Calendar for all its devotees, and members. This Calendar reflects all the events and times that the hard copy calendar of the Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar Temple, contains.

In 2020, this E-calendar will be available for free, as a downloadable version.

Devotees can download the E-Calendar from Resources menu (Resources -> E-Calendar) or click E-Calendar

Downloads

MVHS 2020 Daily Event 365 days events

MVHS 2020 - Festive and Special day events (This file contains calendar entries just the Indian festivals and special pooja dates)

Important

Dear devotees,

Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar Temple's Mandalabhishegam will be held for 45 days after the Kumbabhishegam.

We invite devotees who would like to sponsor the morning and evening pujas.
The costs are as follows:
Morning puja: $750
Evening puja: $1000

Please contact below to make a booking:
Temple office: 0436 001 881
Suri: 0470 293 217

We look forward to your support.

And as we prepare for the upcoming Kumbhabhishegam, we would like to request for contributions for our coffee table book that is currently in progress. We request you to email admin@mvhs.org.au if you would like to contribute the following items:

• Photos of the temple (old and new) that are important to you
• Personal stories of your experiences with Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar (you do not need to identify yourself, the story can be written anonymously without mentioning any names)

If you would like to contribute anything else to the book, please get in touch: admin@mvhs.org.au. Your contributions will be invaluable.

Thank you.

MVHS Management Committe

Temple Renovations & Building Fund

As the first Hindu Temple and only Ganesha Temple in Victoria, we are proud to announce that construction of all the Shrines in granite has already begun in earnest. When completed, this will be the largest Temple of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

Granite as you may be aware is a ‘living’ stone, able to absorb all the vibrations of the chanting and devotees’ prayers. This is the reason it was used in most temple constructions in the olden days. Equally importantly, the Temple will be a long-lasting temple, as we can witness those in India and Sri Lanka constructed out of granite.

Please click the below link for more information on how you can contribute to the Temple Building Fund.

Read more: Temple renovation & building fund

Please contact the Temple Office for more details on
Phone: 03 0436 001 881
Email: templeoffice@mvhs.org.au.

Mandalabhishekam Programme Schedule

Dear devotees, Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar Temple’s Mandalabhishegam is planned 45 days after Kumbabhishegam. During this period, there will be a musical programme every day between 8pm to 9pm.

We would like to invite musical schools to perform on a volunteer basis to grace the occasion and get the blessings from the Lord.

For more details, please click the link below or select the menu under "Events -> Program Schedule"
Read more

Proposed Temple Structure in 3D