Manav Mandir Hindu Temple Grand Opening This Weekend
By Space Coast Daily // August 15, 2014
Manav Mandir situated on 37 acres in suntree
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — Nine years ago a dream was born to build a temple and a center for community events in Melbourne, and that dream materialized into reality as the Manav Mandir.
Opening ceremonies will be held on August 15, 16, 17.
The Manav Mandir is a magnificent structure made possible by the dedication and hard work of the community and is a successful effort to bring all sectors of Hinduism together.
The temple is situated on 37 acres in a very beautiful and secluded area of Suntree.
The main hall is 7,000 square feet, and four buildings around it are 1,000 square feet. There is also a Priest’s apartment and a kitchen/dining room. The temple’s marble and granite floors were imported from India.
Current cost of the temple and land is $9.4 million. The temple is the first phase of the dream project, to be followed by the community center.
There are plans for a children’s playground and an outside pavilion.
Following Hindu shastras or principles, Manav Mandir faces east.
The dream to bring different sectors of Hinduism together are represented in 18 deities to be installed, including Ganesh, Shrinathji, Saraswati, Radha Krishna, Satya Narayan, Mahalakshmi, Amba-Durga, Kartikeya, Shiva Lingam, Rajarajeshwari (Parvati), Ram Parivar, Hanuman, Shirdi Sai Baba, Bhoodevi (Andal), Shridevi, Lord Venkateshwara, Navagraha and the eighteenth deity has been sponsored and will be installed at a later time.
A unique feature of the main deity, Shrinathji, are his eyes. In this representation, the eyes are gentle giving devotees a feeling that they are being blessed. Adorning the top of the temple are two gopurams (domes) made of fiberglass, one is representative of North India and the other of South India.
PRIEST TO PERFORM RITUALS TO INVITE GOD INTO THE TEMPLE
Opening ceremonies are August 15-17. These days will be filled with many events as 10 priests perform purification and other rituals to invite God into the temple. The entire event will be very festive and colorful with the deities dressed in bright clothes and decked with ornaments.
Over 1,000 people are expected to attend. Lunch and dinner will be sponsored by the temple on all three days.
