A Significant Day
27th May 2012 marked a significant day in the history of Hare Krishna Ashram, Malaysia. Devotees observed the Bhoomi Pooja (ground-breaking) consecration rites, a first step in the construction of the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Diamond Temple and Vedic Cultural Centre Project. The grand project would comprise a beautiful temple featuring a seamless blend of the best of traditional Indian architecture and modern technology, exhibition halls along with a guest house and residential quarters for devotees. Upon completion, the complex would function as a beacon transmitting the much needed light of spiritual knowledge and culture throughout all sections of society.
Ground-breaking Consecration Rites
The festivities commenced with the ground-breaking consecration rites conducted by priests well-trained in Agamic rituals who had especially arrived from Chennai, India for this purpose. Many devotees and well-wishers came from far and wide to participate in the festivities.
Bhoomi Pooja was presided by His Grace Madhu Pandit Prabhu, His Grace Stoka Krishna Prabhu and His Grace Chitranga Chaitanya Prabhu from ISKCON Bangalore. Sriman Madhu Pandit Prabhu and his team have been pivotal in designing the architectural style of the temple project.
An Opportunity to Shine
In his speech, Madhu Pandit Prabhu noted that it was the desire of the Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada to open beautiful temples throughout the world to attract the population to spiritual culture through dynamic activities and spiritual sound vibrations, particularly the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra. He added that all living entities are spiritually beautiful, being parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna. When a soul participates in serving the Lord by channeling his energies towards His glorification, he shines like a diamond. The efforts of all involved in developing the temple project would epitomize this quality.
Spiritual Programmes - Vital for the Society’s Well-being
Following Madhu Pandit Prabhu’s speech, the Guest-of-Honour, YB Tuan Law Choo Kiang, Representative from the Penang Chief Minister’s Office expressed his delight in being able to attend the event. He noted the impressive plans for the project and highlighted the importance of the spiritual dimension in the growth of Penang state. He iterated the immense benefits that such a project would bring to everyone involved. Tuan Law was also very keen to learn the chanting of the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, took darshan of Their Lordships Sri Sri Gopinatha and offered flowers to Srila Prabhupada. He thanked all guests present and encouraged the devotees in their efforts to realize the completion of the temple complex.
More than 1000 devotees attended Bhoomi Pooja and relished sumptuous Krishna Prasadam.
Hare Krishna Ashram invites everyone to participate in its efforts to
build the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Diamond Temple Project and Vedic
Cultural Complex. This sublime effort will bring spiritual benefits for
everyone involved and would benefit generations to come.
“When a diamond is set in a golden ring, it looks very nice. The
gold is glorified, and at the same time the diamond is glorified. The
Lord and the living entity eternally glitter, and when a living entity
becomes inclined to the service of the Supreme Lord, he looks like gold.
The Lord is a diamond, and so this combination is very nice.”His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Purport to Bhagavad Gita 9.29
