A Hindu temple, Manav Mandir Temple Brevard, is having elaborate and traditional three-day opening ceremonies from August 15-17 in Suntree community of Brevard County Florida (USA), about 25 miles from Kennedy Space Center.
Its grand opening rituals, titled Pranpratistha Kumbhabhishekham, include Shobha Yatra (parade of utsav murtis), Garbhagruh Navratan Dan (donation of navratan to God), Kalash Yatra (procession of kalasha filled with water), Gayatri Havan, Yantra Sthapna, Panch Dhatu Murti Sthapana, Sthapna Aarti, Mala Arpan, Mukut Shringar, First Darshans, Chavi Darshan (one young girl holds mirror in front of God), Annkut, First Aarti, Community Aarti, Gopuram Abhishakams, Dhawaja Sthapna, pujas, tilakam, satsang, stuti dance, etc. Lunch and dinner will be served on all three days.
Meanwhile, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, applauded efforts of temple management and area community for realizing this wonderful Hindu temple complex.
Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this new temple would help in this direction. Zed stressed that instead of running after materialism; we should focus on inner search and realization of Self and work towards achieving moksh (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism.
Deities being installed include Ganesh, Shreenathji, Saraswati, Radha Krishna, Satyanarayan, Mahalakshmi, Durga/Amba, Kartikeya, Shivalingam, Rajarajeshwari, Ram Parivar, Hanuman, Shirdi Sai Baba, Bhudevi, Shreedevi, Venkateshwara and Navagrahas.
According to reports, this temple, spread in 36 acres, will include a 7,200 square foot sanctuary, a 35,000 square foot fellowship hall to hold community activities and celebrations, private worship room, two open courtyards, classrooms, etc. Its groundbreaking was held on August 27, 2011.
Suntree is claimed to be the largest master planned unincorporated community in Brevard County. Notable people associated with it include baseball players Tim Wakefield, Cecil Fielder and Prince Fielder; and wrestler Devon Hughes. Brevard County, also known as Space Coast, houses John F. Kennedy Space Center. Mary Bolin Lewis is the Chairman of County Commissioners, while Stockton Whitten is County Manager.
Hinduism is oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents. There are about three million Hindus in USA.