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Thousands of worshippers thronged to Singapore’s about 150-years old Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple’s Maha Kumbabishegam (Consecration Ceremony) on April seven after 12 years of redevelopment costing about $2.5 million, reports suggest.

Ceremonies leading to Maha Kumbabishegam of temple and its deities started on February eight; which reportedly included various Poojas, Homams, Yenthrajapam, Yenthrasthaapanam, Anointment, Thirukalyanam, Abishegam, Acharyavarnam, Sri Vaasthu Shanthi, Sri Mritsangrahanam, Sri Vimana Kalasasthaapanam, Ashtadhashakriyai, Sri Angurarpanam, Kumbalankaram, Kalakarshanam, Asthabanthanam, Deepasthapanam, Bimbasuddhi, Naadisanthanam, Sparshahuthi, Maha Poornahuthy, Deeparathanai, Yathirathanam, Grahapreethi, etc.

April seven ceremony reportedly included Kadam Procession, Mahakumbabishegam for Rajagopuram and Vimanams and sanctum deities, japam; and celestial wedding for Sri Murugan, Sri Valli and Sri Deivanai. Roads were closed, traffic was re-routed and free shuttle bus services were provided for the ceremony, reports add.

Meanwhile, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, applauded efforts of temple-project leaders and area community to realize this temple redevelopment and Maha Kumbabishegam.

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 historical 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.

A 48-days Mandalabishegam prayer at the temple, which started on April eight, will conclude with 1008 Kalasabishegam and Silver Chariot procession of the Goddess on May 25, according to an announcement.

One of the oldest temples in Singapore, Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple has been relocated three times before settling at the current location. It launched the first Tamil/English preschool in Singapore. S. Nallathamby and K. Vijayendren are Advisor and Chairman respectively, reports say.

Gayatri Mantra opened Holocaust “Day of Remembrance” at University of Nevada

Gayatri Mantra, considered the most sacred mantra of Hinduism, opened the “Day of Remembrance” at University of Nevada-Reno (UNR) on April seven in remembrance of lives lost or altered by Holocaust and genocides around the world.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who delivered the Gayatri Mantra from Rig-Veda, the oldest scripture of the world still in common use, started and ended the invocation with “Om”, the mystical syllable containing the universe which in Hinduism is used to introduce and conclude religious work.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, reading from Brahadaranyakopanisad, another ancient Hindu scripture, said, “Lead us from the unreal to the Real, Lead us from darkness to Light, Lead us from death to Immortality”, after reciting the original in Sanskrit.

Dr. Robert Krell, Emeritus Psychiatry Professor of University of British Columbia, and Holocaust survivor and educator who was born in Netherlands, delivered the keynote address “Why Remember the Holocaust?” Besides Zed; Christian, Buddhist and Jewish leaders also participated in the Candle-lighting Ceremony on the occasion. Rabbi ElizaBeth W. Beyer delivered the benediction.

History teaches us that genocide can be prevented if people care enough to act. Our choices in response to hatred truly do matter and together we can help fulfill the promise of “Never Again”, event announcement said, which was organized by Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) of UNR in partnership with the UNR Interfaith Students Club,

Dr. Krell has treated Holocaust survivors and their families as well as Dutch survivors of Japanese concentration camps. He founded Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, which teaches 20,000 students annually. Rajan Zed has also raised huge voice against the apartheid faced by about 15-million Roma (Gypsies) in Europe, many of whom were also killed during the Holocaust period. 

OLLI at UNR, a diverse community of independent thinkers which serves adults over age 50, “fosters intellectual stimulation and personal development through academic pursuits”. Joe Coleman is President of its Board. UNR Interfaith Students Club, with Daniel R. Sanchez as president, aims to "cultivate social cohesion among people of different religions". UNR, founded in 1874 and which has over 18,000 students, is known for helping to create the world’s most accurate atomic clock and is home to one of the largest earthquake-simulation labs.