Eighty-year legacy commemorated
IN THE early 20th century, when legalities of indenture were terminated, it was through the vision and determination of our ancestors that the Maha Shiv Mandhir was established, pioneered by a group of market gardeners and basket hawkers in the Sea Cow Lake area.
A plot of land was donated in 1949 and the Maha Shiv Mandhir was established. In 1985 a new committee was formed, and each member contributed R500 to construct a permanent temple site.
It was from these humble beginnings that the temple prolifically flourished as a place of worship for the community of Sea Cow Lake, as well as greater Durban. To commemorate this 80-year legacy, the Maha Shiv Mandhir conducted a ceremony to consecrate the religious idols (Murthi Stapana) as well as to invocate life into the idols (Praan Pratishta).
The Hindu rituals associated with the placement of idols signifies inviting deities as resident guests of the temple, and ornamenting their presence as various manifestations of God.
Through the invocation of life, the idols are enlivened for worship. A total of 16 murthis were donated by the community, as well as by a donor from the US.
Additionally, a Navagraha Sthan (embodying the deities symbolising the nine heavenly bodies) was consecrated.
The Murthi Stapana took place last week at the temple in Hippo Road, Sea Cow Lake, and was conducted by priests of the Shri Luxmi Narayan Temple of Mobeni Heights.
Over the three days, detailed rituals were performed beginning with jaal yathra (young girls carrying goblets of water to the mandhir to begin the ceremony with purity).
On the final day, the ceremony concluded with the rath yatra (float procession of the murthis).
Members of the public attended this auspicious occasion in large numbers.