Magnificent Marakata Hanuman temple inaugurated in London Datta Yoga Centre
Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji made a historic & first ever Hanuman temple Pratishtha in London Ashrama on the 12th September 2016 at 9.49 AM. This is the first ever temple Kumbhabhishekam in any of Sri Swamiji’s Ashrama in Europe.
Pujya Sri Swamiji arrived in London Ashrama on 8th September 2016 from Mysore Ashrama.
On 9th September, Pujya Sri Swamiji inaugurated the Pratishtha Yaga Shala in Ashrama premises. Pujya Sri Swamiji then inaugurated the renovated Datta Yoga Center’s new hall & temple complex. The newly renovated hall can seat over 500 people. The hall has the main shrine of Marakata Karya Siddhi Hanuman with Sri Ram Parivar and pure crystal Shiva Lingam. This shrine is flanked by the shrines of Maha Ganapathy & Dattatreya. Shrines Durga mata, Radha Krishna & an ancient Datta idol worshipped by Rangavadhoot Maharaj.
The temple complex has been very elegantly constructed in Burma teak wood in Gujarat style by expert temple carvers from Ahmedabad. Pujya Sri Swamiji appreciated the grand wooden carvings as “magnificent & first ever wooden temple in Datta Peetham’s history”. The imposing wooden gopuram has motifs of vanaras, birds and other architectural elements.
There are two entrances to the temple venue. The main east facing door exclusively for the use of Pujya Sri Swamiji has elaborate ravings of instances from Ramayana. The second entrance door has carvings of Dashavatara themes, Surya & Chandra.
Pujya Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja & Divya Nama Sankeertana daily. The new audio system & acoustic treatment of the hall ensured wonderful Bhajan sessions. Click here to read the discourse of Pujya Sri Swamiji on 9th September 2016 at Hanuman Temple. Datta Yoga Centre, London
Pratishthapana rituals continued with Adhivasas and other rites on 10th & 11th September 2016. Pujya Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja in the mornings and Bhajans in the evenings. Temple donors were honored on both days. Sri Jitendra Dave, secretary of Datta Yoga Centre, UK presented a slide show and explained Sri Swamiji's visits to UK since 1976 and how the Datta movement grew in to Datta Yoga Centre and finally how this temple came in to being. Sri Swamiji also released a souvenir book commommerating Sri Swamiji's 40th anniversary visit to London (1976-2016) & Hanuman temple inauguration.
On the auspicious day of 12th September 2016, Pujya Sri Swamiji installed Yantras on the base of idols from 9.30 AM onwards. After Sri Chakra Puja, Sri Swamiji performed Maya Purnahuti of the Pratishtha rituals in Yaga Shala. The Sacred Kalashas which were worshipped for three days were removed. Sri Swamiji carried the main Hanuman Kalasha from Yaga Shala to the new temple. Sri Swamiji performed the Kumbha Abhisheka to the beautiful Marakata Karya Siddhi Hanuman Murti.
A short history of this Marakata Hanuman idol will explain it’s greatness. This Marakata Hanuman was the first ever idol to be carved many years ago and was in Pujya Sri Swamiji’s Guru Nilaya Puja room for several years. Later, this Marakata Hanuman had adorned the gold Audumbara Simhasana in Mysore Ashrama prayer hall and now finally Sri Swamiji permanently installed it in London.
While Sri Swamiji performed Kumbhabhisheka of Hanuman and crystal Shiva Lingam, simultaneously other deities too received Samprokshana from priests. With this the historic event of first ever Hanuman temple in Europe was installed by Pujya Sri Swamiji. After Archana & Arati to the deities, the temple builders were honored. Devotees took Darshana of all the newly installed deities and felt blessed.
At 7 PM, Sri Swamiji came to temple unveiled the temple inauguration plaque. Later Sri Swamiji sang scintillating and melodious Bhajans on all the deities of the temple.
Annadanam was performed on all days to visiting devotees.
On 13th, 14th & 15th, Pujya Swamiji personally worshipped in the temple and Pujas were held.
On 15th evening, Durga Sapta Shati Parayanama was done by Sri Vamshi Krishna Ghanapathi. Devotees performed Rudrabhishekam. Pujya Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja in the temple. Later, the visiting Pundits, Musicians and Parivar of Pujya Swamiji were honored.
Sri Swamiji inaugurated “Hanuman Thora” thread tying Sthambha. Devotees came in queue and tied Hanuman Thora.
In the discourse, Sri Swamiji exhorted devotees to keep temple as part of their weekly life. Sri Swamiji promised to return to London soon.
Trustees, Sri Manu Bhai, Sri Jitendra Dave, Sri Mohanlal Suthar, Dr.Uttam Veturi, Smt.Bhavna Patel & Sri.Ravi offered garland to Pujya Sri Swamiji as a gesture of UK devotees’ gratitude for blessing the Datta Yoga Centre, UK with the beautiful temple complex.
