Thousands of Devotees attend Murti Pran Pratishtha Mahotsav and Maha Kumbha Abhishekam at Ekta Mandir- the First Hindu and Jain Temple in Arizona.

Phoenix, Arizona became A PUNYA KSHETRA after a team of eleven priests from all over USA headed by Sri Satyanarayan Sastry and Sri Nareshji Shah, performed all traditional rituals according to Hindu and Jain scriptures to complete the Pran Pratistha of Mahavir Swami, Adinath and Parshwanath Teerthankara, Sri Mahaganapathi, Shivaling, Parvathi, Sri Radha Krishna, Srinathji, Sri Rama Parivara, and Venkateswara Swami during Sarvajithu Nama Samvatsare Magha Shukla Dwadashi Mesha Lagna on Sunday Feb 17, 2008. The dream of the devotees in Arizona came true with the community’s collective vision, effort, financial support, and energy of volunteers.

We installed and invoked all deities in the shrines by performing great Yagnas that included Pancha Kala Puja Homa and Havans with the chanting of various mantras from 4 vedas. After Ganesh Yagna on Friday, Deities were pleased and it rained showing HIS happiness. This is considered very auspicious for the temple and community in Arizona. Jain Murti Pran Prathistha rituals were performed under the direction of Jain scholar Mr. Nareshbhai Shah from New York. Each day the Jain Tirthankar Pratishtha began with Snatra Puja, which was followed by Kumbha Sthapan and Akhand Deep Sthapan. This was followed by Nava Graha, Das Dikpal, and Ashta Mangal Puja. On Saturday, Abhisheks of Deities was performed while reciting mantras to purify the Pratimas and to make it appropriate for Darshan and Puja. On Sunday many community members participated in “Kaser” puja for Mahavir Swami and Parshwanath Swami and rice and clove puja of Adinathji.

On Sunday divine moment of installation of Dhwaja (Flag) took place. Dhwaja symbolizes faith, worship, and form to offer prayers to the Lord. Devotees celebrated Dhwaja Aarohan by carrying the Dhwaja and hoisting it on the temple.

Dance and music are also part of the Pratishtha rituals. The cultural programs were coordinated and organized keeping the magnitude of the event in perspective, and the mission of the Ekta Mandir which is “expression of Unity without uniformity and diversity without division”. The event thus featured a colorful and diverse cultural program that truly reflected the diversity of the community and included Hindu and Jain sloka recitations, bhajans, Dhun and Kirtans, Classical music presented in both the Hindustani and Carnatic styles, dances in the three main classical forms of Bharatanatya, Kathak and Odissi and Raas and Garba. It was heart warming to see members of the community both young and old take great pride in reciting slokas and singing bhajans in praise of the different Deities that are enshrined in the Temple. The highlight of the cultural program was the rendering of dhun and bhajans by our special invited guest Ms. Bharati Vyas who had come all the way from India to perform on this special occasion. Mr. Nitin Karia accompanied her very ably on the harmonium and Mr. Ramesh Kumar on the Tabla. They enthralled the audience with their melodious rendering of popular bhajans built up the spirit of devotees in anticipation of the Divine Moment when everyone had the first Darshan of all the Deities. They created an electrifying atmosphere of Bhakti in the Mandir.

Youth involvement during both the Grand Opening and Pran Pratishtha Mahothsav was highly impressive and fruitful. The Youth Corner was set up inside the Mandir for children and youth to engage themselves in activities relating to our religion. The Children’s Library included short story books and comics relating to our epics Ramayan and Maha Bharath that children could read and enjoy. Other activities included coloring images of various deities, drawing, and trivia quizzes.

Pran Pratishtha volunteers did a great job in decoration of the temple and setting up Yagashala, Temple interior, and the Foundation Hall areas and making sure the facilities are safe and clean. Mahaprasad for thousands of devotees was served during the three day event and the food was representative of various parts of India. Thanks to so many community members who generously donated for various pujas and Gheeboli for special rituals.

Unity Temple, Ekta Mandir, is a project by the community for the community and run by the community. Located on Maryland Avenue in Phoenix, less than two miles from I-17, the Temple has easy access from any part of the Valley. Furthermore, it is situated across the street from the Indo-American Community Center, which makes it easy for the community to hold religious, social and cultural events. Built on 4.5 acres the Temple has a total area of 12,300 sq ft. The unique feature of the Temple is a large 3,100 sq ft Prayer Hall. Each shrine is 1,050 sq. ft. The total project cost is around $5.8 million. The Board of Directors intends to make the Temple debt free soon and would like to appeal to the community to support the Temple. Please become a life member and support. One can also support the Temple by sponsoring a Pillar, Door, Murty, Shringar sets and the whole Murty parivar.

Pran Pratishtha at a Temple is an extremely rare and auspicious event – a once in a lifetime experience for anyone! One is indeed very blessed to be part of, and witness this grand celebration!

LET US PRAY FOR THE WORLD PEACE TOGETHER. MAY GOD BLESS

Contributed by: Jagdish Sagar, Sastriji, Bhakti Gosalia, Kalpana Batni, Krish and Girija Krishnamurthy, Achut Kumar, Ila Patel, Mahesh Shah, Jagannath, and BEMA Board of Directors.

For More Information Please visit www.ektamandirarizona.org