ஸ்ரீ வக்ரதுண்ட விநாயகர் ஆலயம்
Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar Temple
Melbourne Vinayagar Hindu Sangam
Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar came to Melbourne from Kancheepuram in 1989, and in 1992 his temple became the first Hindu temple consecrated in Victoria. Rebuilt in granite with a three-storey Rajagopuram in 2007, the temple in The Basin is run by the Melbourne Vinayagar Hindu Sangam. Our history His miracles
At the heart of the temple is Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar. Around him are the shrines of Sri Amirthakadeswarar and Sri Abhirami, Sri Murugan with Sri Valli and Sri Deivanai, Sri Hanuman and the Navagrahams, with Sri Siva Durgai, Sri Vishnu Durgai, Sri Vairavar, Sri Dakshinamurthy, Sri Nagathampiran and Sri Sandigeswarar.
The main deity of the temple. A Hindu's first prayer is always to Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar, the first son of Sri Siva and Parvathy, whom Tamils lovingly call “Pillayar”, the noble child. We worship him to remove every obstacle on our path and to grant us wisdom, and pray to him first before any new venture. He has the head of an elephant and is seated on a mouse.
The Supreme God of Saivism, which with Vaishnavism and Shaktism is one of the three main branches of Hinduism. In Saivite temples the main shrine is for Sri Siva or a member of his family: Parvathy (Abhirami), his consort; Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar, his first son; and Sri Murugan, his second son. At this temple he is worshipped as Sri Amirthakadeswarar, with Sri Abhirami beside him.
The consort of Sri Siva as Sri Amirthakadeswarar, whose shrine is beside his. Abhirami, “the beautiful one”, is a form of Parvathy, the Divine Mother. As at her famous temple at Thirukkadaiyur in Tamil Nadu, devotees pray to her for long life, good health and a happy family. She is praised in the Abhirami Anthathi, a hundred verses sung by the saint Abhirami Bhattar.
The second son of Sri Siva and Parvathy, and younger brother of Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar: the Lord of righteousness, who protects dharma by destroying evil. The name Murugan means undecaying beauty and everlasting youth. Also known as Kandha, Subramanya, Shanmuga and Karthikeya, he is the most popular god among Tamils. His consorts are Sri Valli (the power of desire) and Sri Deivanai, also called Devasena (the power of action).
The ardent devotee of Sri Rama and a central figure of the Ramayana, also found in the Mahabharata and the Puranas. Hanuman Homam is held at the temple on the third Saturday of every month.
The nine planets of Hindu astrology, with the Sun counted among them and Rahu and Kethu as the two lunar nodes. Some, like Jupiter, are benefic and some, like Saturn, malefic. Devotees honour them as demigods, so that the benefic planets bless them and the others do no harm.
Mother of the universe, the power behind the creation, preservation and destruction of the world.
A protective form of the Divine Mother standing over Mahishasura and holding the discus and conch of Sri Vishnu. Devotees pray to her — especially during Rahu Kalam — for courage, protection and relief from difficulties.
Guardian of the temple and its devotees, whose vehicle, the dog, signifies his watchfulness.
Sri Siva as the guru of all knowledge: the teacher of yoga, music and wisdom, worshipped as the god of wisdom and meditation.
The divine serpent deity, worshipped for family wellbeing, fertility and protection from the planetary afflictions of Rahu and Kethu.
A saint in perpetual meditation, near the Divine Mother. At the end of the pooja, devotees clap gently three times to seek his grace.