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Published 6/9/2003 Indian faiths honored in celebration d dy DySongs, prayer fill temple during weeklong event
Lansing State Journal HASLETT - Members of the Bharatiya Temple of Lansing are celebrating the consecration of the gods, a ceremony they believe gave the temple life and divine power. About 900 mid-Michigan families attend the temple to practice Hinduism or Jainism, two related religions that originated in India. This is the fifth anniversary of the consecration of the temple's seven groups of Hindu gods. It's the third anniversary of consecrating the two Jain Tirthankaras, who were liberated souls and teachers of the religion who lived thousand of years ago. And it's the first year the temple is celebrating both anniversaries together. "It's the biggest event in the life of the temple," said Dhiraj Shah, chairman of the temple's board of trustees. "It makes you more attached to the temple and follow the teachings." Hindu and Jain worshipers from the western and southern parts of Michigan are expected at the celebrations, which will include devotional songs, discourse and prayer. The temple kicked off the celebration Saturday with a performance by renowned Hindustani classical musician Veena Sahasrabuddhe at the Kellogg Center. The ceremonies let members reflect on their faith and the temple's history. "It's a time to recall the feelings of devotion for the temple," temple librarian and historian Raman Anantaraman said. The Bharatiya Temple was established as a religious, nonprofit organization in 1982. Members met in each other's homes until the temple was built in 1994. Lansing's Sudhakar Kulkarni, one of the temple's founding members, said the anniversary is a blessing. "I always tell my wife and kids, when you see the fruit of your work, you feel blessed." he said. Contact James McCurtis Jr. at 377-1046 or jmccurtis@ lsj.com. |
