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 from 8th June to 22nd July 2020 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: 9762 1835
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 9762 1835
Email: templeoffice@mvhs.org.au.

Mandalabhishekam Programme Schedule

Dear devotees, Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar Temple’s Mandalabhishegam is planned between 8th June 2020 to 22nd July 2020 (45 days). 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