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Temple Opening in Fiji
From Ananda Tirtha Dasa
Posted September 24, 2004

Dear devotees,

Hare Krishna!

Below is some information about the new temple opening here [September 26]. I should add a few things though:

The local devotees have made elaborate arrangments to accommodate visitors to the opening. HH Bhakticaru Swami, HH Vedavyasapriya Swami, and HG Ambarisa Prabhu will be in attendance, along with HH Bir Krishna Maharaja, the GBC for Fiji, who is already here. About 80 devotees are expected to fly in from New Zealand and Australia, but there is still space for plenty more so if you would like to attend, just jump on a plane.

Click here for photos

In true ISKCON style, last-minute touchups and cleanups are going on at a frantic pace. Heaps of devotees, workers, and volunteers are at work all day. Krishna willing, all should be ready for the opening day. :)

There are 12 Deities to be installed:

• Sri Sri Radha Golokabihari with Lalita and Visakha;
• Sri Sri Sita Rama Laksmana Hanumana;
• and Sri Sri Gaura Nitai with Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura and Srila Prabhupada.

Please see attached pictures for a better idea.

ISKCON Suva Temple Opens
by Bhimasena das

Posted September 14, 2004

The devotees of ISKCON Suva wish to announce that, after 25 years, the Suva temple project has come to reality and life. The temple opening is on the 26th of September, 2004. We would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone who has been a part of ISKCON Suva in the past, those who are currently associated with ISKCON Suva, and also those who would like to create a loving bond and relationship with this yatra of ours. We welcome one and all with open arms.

We would like devotees from all over the globe to bless this Sri Sri Radha Goloka-bihari Temple, which was a vision of our beloved Tamal Krishna Goswami and which has been brought to life with the unflinching dedication and leadership of Gurudeva's dear Godbrothers Vasudeva das prabhu and HH Bir Krishna Goswami. Parasurama das, Jairama das, and Jivanatha das prabhus have also put in commendable efforts to see this temple come to reality, with the support of all the other local devotees.

Temple opening is on the 26th of September 2004. All are invited.

Airport to Temple Transportation

Nadi airport to Suva temple 3 hours— Hired taxi, $120 (4 passenger car); Running Cab, $15/person (4 Passenger Car); Hired Taxi (Devotee Driver), $80 (4 Passenger Car); or ISKCON Suva 7 Seater Van, $60 (6 Passengers).

Nausori Airport to Suva 35 minutes— Hired Taxi, $20 (4 passenger car); or ISKCON Suva seven- seater Van, Free (six Passengers)

Contact: Bhimasena Das, (679) 339-7261.

Email: jairama@connect.com.fj  or winmac@connect.com.fj 

[If you are coming in bigger groups please advise me so that appropriate transportation can be arranged. I hope to provide you the best possible service.]

ISKCON Suva Camping Facilities (On a first-come, first-served basis): Toilets/shower, mattress provided. (You need to bring your camping gear). Free prasada. Ten minutes from temple and two minutes walk to city center. Cost: free, but a donation would be appreciated.

Motel Six: Bed/toilet/shower. Three hundred meters from temple site and five minutes to city center. Cost: $55 Flat Rate. Phone (679) 330-7477, Fax (679) 330-7133

Tanoa Hotel: Superior room and suite, $179 to $410. Fifteen minutes walk from temple site and three minutes to city center by taxi (Hire cost $2 to $3). Phone (679) 331-2300, Fax (679) 330-1300. Website: http://www.tanoahotels.com/.  Email: tanoaplaza@connect.com.fj

Peninsula International Hotel: Suites from $70 to $100. 25 minutes walk from Temple site and 10 minutes to city center by taxi (Hire cost $3 - $4). Phone (679) 331-3711, Fax (679) 331-4473. Email: peninsula@connect.com.fj

Town House Apartments/Sarita's Flats: Single/Double Rooms, $55-$80. Twenty minutes walk from temple site and three minutes to city center by taxi (Hire cost $3 - $4). Phone (679) 330-3446, Fax (679) 330-1578. Email: townhouse@connect.com.fj

Sunset Apartments: Single/Double Rooms, $45-$90. Twenty minutes walk from temple site and three minutes to city center by taxi (Hire cost $3 - $4). Phone (679) 330-3446, Fax (679) 330-1578. Email: townhouse@connect.com.fj

 For further information, please contact Bhimasena das: Email: jairama@connect.com.fj /vdas@ird.org.fj  — phone (679) 339-7261.

Suva, Fiji–The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also known as the Hare Krishna Movement, will open an elaborate new temple in Suva, Fiji, on September 24-27, 2004.

The new temple complex is situated on a two-acre plot containing three buildings and a 60-vehicle car park. The temple is the largest ISKCON temple outside of India.

"We are very excited that the temple is opening," said Bir Krishna Goswami, Governing Body Commissioner for ISKCON in Fiji. "We will now be able to better serve the needs of our congregation, as well as showcase the beautiful cultural contributions of Krishna Consciousness."

The new temple is more than 10,000 square feet in area and is lavishly decorated with magnificent chandeliers and especially commissioned, original works of art. Gold domes adorn the top of the building. The total cost of construction, which was raised locally, is three million Fijian dollars.

The second building of the complex is a 7,000 square-foot hall for dining, weddings, and theater performances. At the rear of the property sits a double-story apartment building for resident students and priests, or Brahmins, who oversee the worship services, or puja, at the temple.

The altar of the new temple will feature elaborate daily worship of Deities, or sacred forms of God, as is traditional in ISKCON temples. The Deity forms of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna, Lalita, Visakha, Gaura-Nitai, Sita, Rama, Laksmana, and Hanuman will be installed by a traditional Vedic agni-hotra, or fire ceremony, on September 26, beginning at 10:00 AM.

ISKCON, with over 10,000 members in the Fijian Islands, is Fiji's largest Hindu denomination. ISKCON Fiji is respected not only for its religious activities but also for its charitable work, which includes providing free food and medical care for the local people.

The opening ceremonies are open to the public and the media is invited to attend. The address is 166 Brewster Street, Toorak, Suva, Fiji, and the phone number is 9227476.

© dipika.org September 24, 2004