Artisans from India, Balakrishnan Manikandan, Kalyan Palani and Ganesan Nataraj, stand in front of the recently renovated Wyebank Hindu Temple.
AFTER months of construction, the Wyebank Hindu Temple is finally at a stage where devotees can worship again, starting this Wednesday 5 February.
According to Venessa Pillay, a committee member at the temple, the Wyebank Hindu Temple was small and as the congregation grew the committee decided to renovate it to leave a landmark and place of worshipfor the future generation.
The Wyebank Hindu Temple was established in 1932. Over the years, numerous changes were made to enhance the general appearance, as well as install moorthies to cater for the spiritual needs of all those devotees that attend the Shri Vilvanatha Esperar Alayam. Instead of demolishing parts of the temple structure and adding bit and pieces, it was decided to upgrade the entire structure. The mammoth project of rebuilding the Wyebank Hindu Temple commenced and earnest and skilled artisans from South India were engaged to commence with the rebuilding of the alayam.
Guru Shiyamsunthar Sharma and committee members thanked the community, individuals, organisations and families who have contributed in cash and kind to the rebuilding of the temple.
An invitation is extended to all devotees to join the consecration of moorthis (Maha Kumba Abishegam) on Wednesday 5 February to Sunday 9 February. There will be a prayer programme and supper will be served daily. Public participation is encouraged for the oiling of the moorthis on Friday 7 February from 9am to 4pm. Radio Lotus will broadcast live from the temple premises on Sunday 9 February from 5pm to 7pm, with the Wyebank youth performing bhajans, and renowned artist, Mahendri Pillay performing Karnatic (classical music).
The temple will offer services, prayer and supper daily from 10 February until 30 March. Sponsors are welcome.
“We also run yoga classes, children’s classes which offer song, dance and language lessons, and going forward we want to establish a youth programme for over 18s, Tamil classes, discourses and discussion groups, participation in the local eisteddfod, senior citizen activities, social outings for devotees, youth and children, meditation and outreach programmes,” said Pillay.