Ram Mandir rises in West Auckland:From Dream to Realisation-“Sapna se Sakaar Tak”

From Dream to Realisation-“Sapna se Sakaar tak”: Ram Mandir and 

Community Centre rises in West Auckland

Thakur Ranjit Singh

Waitakere in general and Henderson in particular have been in the news recently for all the wrong reasons-violence, crime and dysfunctional families. Indeed it is divine blessings that in all this doom and gloom of Waitakere, has proudly risen a monument. More importantly, like the righteous and noble king it is named after, it took form in West Auckland to liberate us from evils and worries. As Lord Ram came to this world to solve many of our ills, so has Ram Mandir and the associated Community Centre, which collectively promise to do likewise in Waitakere.

Lord Ram came to this world to solve many of our ills, so has this Mandir and Community Centre, risen out in West Auckland to help solve ours.

It was a blessed co-incidence that a dream started taking shape at Brick Street from bricks. A monument was destined to rise from bricks, in fact 350 of them, at 11 Brick Street, Henderson. These bricks, donated by devotees, formed the foundation of Ram Mandir and Community Centre during the Bhumi Pooja-the ground-breaking ceremony on 21 July, 2012. Since then, all the formalities have been finalised and builders have been busy, transforming this vacant land into realisation of a dream.

Shri Ram Mandir Charitable Trust (SRMCT) is very pleased to announce that the dream of SRI RAM MANDIR and COMMUNITY CENTRE has been taking strides towards realisation. It is now in the final stages of completion. In preparation for that milestone, SRMCT is planning a 5-day ceremonial official opening from 29 November to 3 December, 2014 inclusive.

A Dream - an artiste's impression-RAM MANDIR AND COMMUNITY CENTRE 

However, a project of this magnitude needs the support of the community – it now requires generosity and financial support of devotees of Maryada Purshottam Shri Ram and citizens of New Zealand. The Managing Trustee Praveen Kumar says that we all build our own houses - that is our self-interest. “However, great are those who can help us build the house of Lord Ram – not only a house of worship but also a shelter to provide much-needed service to humanity and the community at large. This is a life-time opportunity for you to be part of the project which is largely constructed now, and need your assistance at this furnishing stage, “said Kumar.

MANDIR and COMMUNITY CENTRE- A dream

Kumar informed that this centre would not only provide our people a handy and culturally suitable facility for wedding and other social functions, it will also facilitate their religious needs. “We appreciate shortage of space at our homes to hold social and religious functions. Therefore, to relieve us of constraint of space at homes, our facility would be available to be hired for Satya Narayan Katha, Hanuman, Devi and other Pooja and similar functions.” Kumar said. One of the major requirements is the convenience on one-stop facilities for food and refreshments. Praveen said that the Trust has spent judicious planning and hence allowed space and resources for a state–of- the – art kitchen. “With a fully-fledged commercial kitchen, we are suitably placed to provide all your catering needs at one place, with all associated requirements for any successful vegetarian needs.” he said.

From this-an empty land

He said to finalise the furnishing of the facility, a consultation meeting is proposed for Sunday 10 September, 2014 at the Ram Mandir and Community Centre, 11 Brick Street, Henderson at 10 am, followed by lunch provided by the Trust. “This consultation meeting is held at the site to give potential donors an opportunity to witness the extent of development and appreciate how a dream is been realised to fill a vacuum of prayer and community use in West Auckland”, he said

From an empty land to this: The construction stage to date. You are invited to come along and see the extent of this project, and give a helping hand in completion of the project - be a donor.

The SRMCT wishes to identify and attract generosity and support of the community by identifying Gold, Silver and Bronze Donors to help them through the completion of this project. Bronze Donors are targeted from $1000 - $4999, Silver Donors from $5000 TO $9999 and Gold Donors for $10000 upwards.

Ram Mandir Trustees hope to see all potential donors on this open day to convert our dream into reality.

Please visit the website for more information: www.shrirammandir.org.nz