From Vinayagam, the history of the temple published by the Melbourne
Vinayagar Hindu Sangam in 2020
1995 – 2004
Expansion Of Temple Grounds
Purchase of 1290 Mountain Highway
The house adjacent to the temple, 1290 Mountain Highway, was purchased to allow the
Manager and caretaker of the temple, Mr Sivasamy, to stay. He continued in this role for
over 13 years and was a key member for the success of this temple over those years. In
addition, 1995 was also the year when the plan for building a kitchen was established.
1996: Fundraising concert featuring Shoba Shekar and Jayashree Ramachandran
A music concert by Ms Shoba Shekar and Ms Jayshree Ramachandran was an outstanding
success, raising about $3,000 towards the temple building.
1997:
Plans for the construction of the Kitchen was approved. The Kitchen was built soon
after.
1999:
The temple was impacted by a fire in the front part of the hall, which was promptly
brought under control. However, a Mahashanti pooja had to be performed for this mishap.
2000-2004:
This was an unfortunate period of the History. The Sangam was embroiled in a court case
between some members of the Management Committee of the Sangam and the Board of
Trustees. This case was eventually resolved by a court-mandated settlement on 8th
November 2004.
A new employee joined the Temple in early 2004. Mr Ramachandran was one of the key
individuals to ensure that both the Canteen and the Temple was functioning according to
plan particularly in the years between 2004 and 2009.
It was also at this time a consecration ceremony for the Pancha Muga Vinayagar was done
on 22nd August 2004. This is the Vinayagar who goes on the Ther for each Mahotsavam.
Devotees took part in Kavadi accompanied by renowned musicians Mr Nagendran and Mr
Udayashankar on 7th February 2001.
2005 – 2007
The Rebuilding
Purchase of 4 Conyers Street
One of the first things that the 2005 newly elected Management Committee did was to
purchase the neighbouring property, No 4 Conyers Street (the house behind the Canteen),
on 5th December 2005.
The First Youth Committee
To encourage Youth participation, the first Youth Committee was set up, under the
leadership of Satish Nagarajan. They organised a talent quest, entitled “Kshipra” for
members of the public on 13th May 2006 at the Robert Blackwood Hall. This was a
resounding success and was able to raise over $8,400. Many of the prizes for the Talent
quest were donated by well-wishers.
The First Youth Committee From left to right: Ms Kanchana
Senthuran, Mr Senthuran Arulliah, Ms Mithra Thuraisingam, Mr Rajeev Arulanantham, Ms
Harunya Sivanathan, Mr Sathish Nagarajan Absent: Ms Vidya
Sivanathan, Ms Vishanti Selvalogan, Mr Rayan Selvalogan, Ms Lakshimi Satyananthan
Kshipra Organising Committee Back Row (From left to right): Mr
Satheesh Nagarajan, Mr Rajeev Arunlanandam, Ms Rohini Sivanathan, Mr Sivanathan
Thamboo, Mr Ranjit Thurairajah Middle Row (From left to right):
Mr Raj Nagarajan, Ms Rani Nagarajan, Ms Parameswary S Pillai, Mr Shanmugaratnam
Pillai, Ms Kanchana Senthuran, Ms Hanunya Sivanathan, Ms Vidya Sivanathan, Mr Rayan
Selvalogan, Mr Kanapathipillai Thuraisingam, Ms Rani Thuraisingam. Front Row (From left to right):
Mr Tharma Segaram, Mr Arulliah Senthuran, Ms Mithra Thuraisingam, Ms Vishanti
Selvalogan
In more ways than one, this was a rebuilding period. The community had to be brought
back after the court case of 2002-2004, which had a devastating impact on the morale of
the devotees. A Kumbhabhishekam was well overdue and the Temple needed significant
repairs. The Community slowly came back together to support the renovations and the
building of the three storey Rajagopuram part of which was in granite.
In addition, the Moolasthanam glass panels were replaced with new and expanded glass
panels. A Kodisthambam was also made. Several new shrines for Siva, Siva Durga and
Murugan, were built. Several new deities were also incorporated as niche deities, such
as Nagathambiran. The Hanuman who was in a wooden shed on the tree next to the temple
was brought in as a niche deity. Both these deities were placed as niche deities facing
externally. The Vasantha Mandapam was extended to include Murugan, Valli and Devanai.
New decorations were also completed along the wall consisting of 16 Vinayagars and Ashta
Lakshmis. All this work would not have been possible without the hard work and
dedication of the members of the building committee, which was headed by Mr Kanakeswaran
and supported by Mr VCS Raghavan.
This was the period when the temple went from paper-based receipt books to computerized
receipts.
Construction begins
Under the leadership of Mr Shanmugaratnam Pillai as president and Mr Kanakeswaran as
building committee chairman, construction commenced to renovate and expand the temple in
preparation for the Kumbhabhishekam.
The First Punaravarthana Maha Kumbhabhishekam 17th June 2007
Punaravarthana Maha Kumbhabhishekam
The Punaravarthana Maha Kumbhabhishekam was held on 17th June 2007. This was a grand
function. Priests from India, Sri Lanka, London, Malaysia and other parts of Australia,
participated in the 7-day event, under the leadership of Sri Gowrieswara Kurukkal.
The Sarva Pothakam was Sri Nirmaleswara Kurukkal. Our first Priest Sri Gnanasekara
Kurukkal from Sydney came as a guest priest and was given an opportunity to also part
take in the festivities. Nithiyanantham Kurukkal joined the temple for the first time
just before the Kumbhabhishekam. The 7-day celebration started on 11th June 2007 with
the Muhurthakaal Naatuvathu and culminated with the Kumbhabhishekam. Over 1500 devotees
from all over Victoria and other parts of Australia came to get Sri Vakrathunda
Vinayagar’s blessings. Many people from around The Basin vicinity also came to see the
festivities.
Kumbhabhishekam Committee From left to right 1st row:
Ms Rani Thuraisingam, Ms Yaani Tharmasegaram, Ms Latha Raghavan 2nd row:
Ms Mira Suppiah, Ms Parames S Pillai, Ms Rohini Sivanathan, Ms Vanaja Nandakumar 3rd row:
Mr Mano Durai, Mr G Moganaraju, Mr Raj Nagarajan, Mr T Sivanathan, Mr Sri
Nandakumar 4th row: Mr Satish Gosai, Mr K Thuraisingam, Mr
Shanmugaratnam K Pillai, Mr K Thanabalasingam 5th row: Mr VCS
Raghavan, Mr T Tharmasegaram, Mr K Ratnagopal
Mandalabhishekam
The 45-day Mandalabhishekam was carried out, both in the morning and evening. Every day,
the deity was being taken around the temple and the event had very good attendance by
devotees. During each evening there was a musical programme performed by local or
foreign artistes. All of them provided their services free of charge. Mr Suki Sivam, the
Orator from India, was a guest speaker for six days, starting from the 16th June 2007.
His trip was entirely sponsored by a devotee, Mr N Sivanathasothy from London.
