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Strathfield Council in New South Wales (Australia) has reportedly approved a Hindu temple for Homebush.

This new temple will reportedly include an open courtyard with five shrines, including Ganesha temple; a nine meters high Raja Gopuram; a flagpole; and shall follow the traditional Hindu temple architecture from India. Cost listed is $950,000.

Meanwhile, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, applauded efforts of temple-project leaders and Sydney 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 temple 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.

Existing building is the temporary home of Sri Karphaga Vinayakar Temple, which has images of Hindu deities Ganesha, Shiva, Parvati, Vishnu, Ayyapa, Murugan, Navgraha and Bhairava. Temple, which opens daily, has morning and evening Aarthi. Kootu Praarthanai takes place on Fridays and cultural events, religious discussions and music recitals are organized frequently.

This temple has reportedly been celebrating Ganesh Chathurthi, Sankadahara Chathurthi, Navaratri, Skanthashashti, Thiruvembavai, Diwali, Shivratri, etc. It plans to organize Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Thaipusam, Shivaratri, Navratri, Ramnavami, Hanuman Jayanti, Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Thiruvemphavai, Karthikai Deepam, Vinayakar Shasti, etc., in the future. Sivasri Ragunatha Kurukkal is the priest.

About 18% residents of Homebush, a Sydney suburb in Municipality of Strathfield and established in 1800s, reportedly practice Hinduism and Tamil is the most common spoken language other than English. Paul Barron and Bill Carney are Mayor and Deputy Mayor respectively of Strathfield Council, while Sundar Eswaran is a Councilor and David Backhouse is General Manager.

Vienna International Center for Dialogue “step in right direction”

Hindus have welcomed reported establishment in Vienna of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Center for Dialogue among Followers of Religions and Cultures by Saudi Arabia, Spain and Austria.

During its ordinary seventh session held at Riyadh on February 20, “Majlis Al-Shura approved a draft agreement on establishment of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Center for Dialogue among Followers of Religions and Cultures signed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Spain and the Republic of Austria”, a release said.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that it was a “step in right direction”. This Center should work for creating mutual trust among various faiths so that world could jointly concentrate on issues of human development.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed that interfaith dialogue was highly needed to arrive at a common agenda for the overall welfare of the humanity. We needed to learn to live together harmoniously despite our seriously different traditions with a broader, deeper and more inclusive understanding of religion; and we should attempt to overcome prejudices, caricatures, and stereotypes with the help of dialogue, Zed added.