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Temple Opening in New Zealand
From Prananatha das
Posted April 22, 2004

Dear Devotees,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

In January this year, a most wonderful three-day celebration took place in our ISKCON society. It was the grand opening of the Sri Sri Radha Giridhari Temple in Auckland, New Zealand.

This project, started in 1987 with the ground-breaking ceremony attended by New Zealand's Prime Minister David Lange, has been a labor of love for the Auckland community. Countless hours of hard work by a small army of devotees over a period of 17 years has culminated in this beautiful temple and community center.

Many senior devotees attended, including HH Mukunda Goswami, HH Prabhavisnu Maharaja, HH Ramai Maharaja, HH Indradyumna Maharaja, HH Devamrta Maharaja, and HG Hari-Sauri Prabhu as well as HG Aniruddha Prabhu, HG Atmarama Prabhu, and others. The head priest for the ceremony was Jaya Tirtha Caran Prabhu. The completion of the temple owes credit to many devotees, including Kalasamvara Prabhu, Jaya Sila Prabhu, Madri Mataji, and others who have given their all over the years.

When I personally went to Auckland to film the opening ceremony, I was stunned at the incredible transformation since my previous visit, two years earlier. I was astounded at the amount of work the devotees had accomplished.

Madri Mataji gave me a pile of video tapes taken in and around the farm over the years, and I used this footage, accompanied by the beautiful musical compositions of Sriman Parivadi Prabhu (who passed away in 1987 from cancer) to set an introduction to the masterpiece, the Grand Opening, from January 16 to 18, 2004.

Now I want to share this beautiful temple with you all. If for some reason or other you couldn't make it to the opening, now you can watch it in the comfort of your own home, temple or preaching center. I know you will feel uplifted from seeing the result of Srila Prabhupada's desire manifested through his humble servants. He personally wanted a Vedic-style temple to be built in Auckland. Now it is here, and it is just beautiful.

For information on ordering VHS tapes or DVDs please write to Prananatha das pran@xtra.co.nz

I hope this finds you all in good health.

Your servant,
Prananatha das

"I happened to watch the video and it is great !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have organised a programme where I shall be showing about 30 devotees this video you sent. Your humble servant, Candra Vallabhi DD."

"I just received the DVD. Thank you very much. I watched the temple opening straight away. It was excellent. Wonderful shots, well edited, and it really captured the mood. You did a great job on it so thanks for sending it. Your humble servant, Hari-sauri dasa"

© dipika.org April 22, 2004