Old church hall in Beeston in England has been converted to a Hindu temple. Sri Thurkkai Amman Temple, created out of a former church hall in Beeston Rylands, reportedly officially opened on April 8, 2012.
Meanwhile, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, applauded efforts of temple-project leaders and Beeston and surrounding area community to realize this wonderful Hindu temple.
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 complex would focus 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.
Few hundred people reportedly attended five days of opening rituals, ceremonies and celebrations, called Mahakumbhabhishekam; which included poojas (Vigneswara, Bhoomi, Yaaha, Visheshathraviya, cows’), homams (Ganpathy, Lakshmi, Kupera, Raksheshana, Disha, Moorthy, Samhita, Navagraha), invocation of gurus, worship-prayers-vows, cleansing rituals, Devabrahmana Anuggyai, Dravyavibhakam, Pravesa pali, Jalaathivaasam, Dhaanyaativaasam, Vaastu shanti, Nayanonmeelanam, installation of Kalasam and Yantras, sowing of nine grains, tying of strings, Kumbam procession, Visheshasanti, Bhootasuthi, Punniyaagavaashanam, Bhimbasuthi, Moorthy Ratshaabanthanam, Niyaasam, Shabarsaakuthi, Mahapoornakuthi, Deepaaraathana, Midhuna Lakhna Abhishekam for Raajagopuram, recitation of Vedas-Stotras-Nadha, etc.
It reportedly consecrated images of Vinayagar Perumaaan, Sri Thurkkai Amman, Sri Valli, Devasena, Kodistamba Pillaiyaar, Siman Palipeedam, Shiva Paarvathi, Thadsanaamoorthy, Lakshmi Naarayanan, Festivals, Navagraha, Bhairavar and Sandeshwary. Councilor Steve Barber spoke on the occasion. According to Temple website, Thurkkai Amman is the mother of the universe and represents empowering and protective nature of motherhood.
Besides a sanctuary for worship, it will also function as a community center. Temple, which opens everyday with pooja held twice a day, is currently reportedly organizing a 12-day special Mandalaabishega Pooja. Sivapalan Krishanand is one of the co-founders.
Beeston in the borough of Broxtowe is suburb of Nottingham in East Midlands. It has one of the highest concentrations of pubs-per-person in United Kingdom. Prominent people associated with Beeston include singers Anne Briggs and Edwin Starr, actor Richard Beckinsale, and fashion designer Sir Paul Smith. Milan Radulovic is Leader of Broxtowe Borough Council (whose tagline is “Positive People-Positive Leadership-Positive Partnerships”) while Jacky Williams is Mayor of Broxtowe.